Also called: Cetacean Biologist, Marine Mammalogist
Studies whales, dolphins, seals, and manatees in the wild.
Spends weeks on a research ship photographing whale tails to identify individuals, flies drones over pods to measure body condition, and tags animals to track their dives.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in marine biology or a related field; a master's for some roles.
Ways in: Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Fisheries Science, Biology, Oceanography.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Very competitive.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI IDs whales from fin photos and calls, trimming lab-assistant work; boat-based fieldwork and research design stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Statistics, Marine science elective, Computer science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1023.
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.