Also called: Freshwater Ecologist
Studies lakes, rivers, and wetlands—their water chemistry, algae, and fish.
Rows out on a lake to drop sensors that measure oxygen at every depth, collects algae samples, and figures out why fish keep dying in late summer.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Master's or PhD in limnology, ecology, or environmental science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Estimate.
Low risk for 10 years. Buoy sensors stream lake data and AI flags problems; fieldwork and diagnosing fish kills stay human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1029.
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.