Also called: Elasmobranch Biologist, Shark Researcher
Researches sharks and rays: where they go, how many there are, and how to protect them.
Catches a tiger shark from a research boat, measures it and attaches an acoustic tag in under five minutes, then releases it and tracks it on a laptop.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD typical for research positions; master's for technical roles.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Biology.
Growing about average. Very competitive.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps sort tag and video data, but catching, tagging and diving with sharks stays field-based human science.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Statistics, Marine science elective, Swimming or lifeguard training.
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.