Wildlife Forensic Scientist

Solves crimes against animals—poaching, illegal ivory, smuggled species.

A day in the life

Tests a carved trinket to prove it's elephant ivory, or uses DNA to show that 'beef jerky' is actually from a protected species.

Pay over a career

Starting

$55k

Typical

$80k

High

$115k

Estimate; US Fish & Wildlife forensic lab.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's or master's in biology, forensic science, or genetics.

Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Biology, Forensic Science, Genetics.

Outlook

Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Estimate; very few positions.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds DNA and image ID of species; lab testing and evidence for wildlife cases stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Biology, Chemistry, Statistics.

• Volunteer at a zoo or wildlife rehab center
• Science Olympiad Forensics
• iNaturalist observations

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4092.

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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.