Studies ocean life—from plankton to whales—and how it responds to fishing, pollution, and warming seas.
Spends a week on a research ship collecting water and fish samples, then months back at the lab analyzing them. Some days are just writing reports and grant proposals.
Estimate based on BLS zoologists/wildlife biologists.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's in marine biology or biology; master's or PhD for research roles.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Biology, Oceanography.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Estimate.
Low risk for 10 years. AI sorts samples, photos and acoustic data faster; research cruises, dives and choosing questions stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, Statistics.
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.