Also called: Zoologist, Field Biologist
Studies wild animals and their habitats to manage and protect populations.
Spends spring nights counting frogs by their calls, fall days tracking radio-collared elk, and winters analyzing data and writing management plans for a state wildlife agency.
BLS May 2024.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 5 years after high school. Bachelor's in wildlife biology; a master's is often needed for permanent positions.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Conservation Biology.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Competitive; seasonal jobs are the usual entry point.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI IDs animals in photos and calls, cutting lab hours; trapping, surveys and habitat work in the field stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, Earth 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.