Also called: Marine Mammal Veterinarian, Fish Veterinarian
Treats dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, and fish at aquariums, rescue centers, and fish farms.
Does an ultrasound on a trained dolphin that swims onto a mat for exams, treats a sea turtle with a boat strike injury, and diagnoses a disease outbreak at a salmon farm.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 10 years after high school. DVM plus aquatic animal medicine internship or residency.
Ways in: Professional school, Graduate school. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Fisheries Science, Biology, Oceanography, Pre-Veterinary.
Growing much faster than average (about 10% over 10 years). Very few positions.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps with water-quality and lab data, but treating dolphins, turtles and farmed fish, often in the water, stays hands-on.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Marine science elective, Swimming or lifeguard training.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1131.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.