Marine Biotechnologist

Also called: Blue Biotech Scientist, Marine Natural Products Scientist

Finds medicines, enzymes, and materials in ocean organisms.

A day in the life

Screens compounds from deep-sea sponges for cancer-fighting activity, studies glowing proteins from jellyfish, and works with companies to develop products.

Pay over a career

Starting

$80k

Typical

$110k

High

$160k

Estimate.

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

Training

Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in marine biology, biochemistry, or microbiology.

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

Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology.

Outlook

Growing about average. Tracks BLS biological scientists.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. AI mines ocean genomes for useful molecules; collecting organisms and testing compounds stay lab work.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Statistics.

• National Ocean Sciences Bowl
• iGEM high-school team
• Summer research program

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1029.

More Marine & Freshwater Biology careers

• Marine Biologist
• Biological Oceanographer
• Deep-Sea Biologist
• Marine Science Professor
• Fisheries Biologist
• Marine Mammal Scientist
• Coral Reef Scientist
• Limnologist
• Phycologist (Algae Scientist)
• Aquaculture Biologist
• Scientific Diver
• NOAA Corps Officer
• Aquarium Curator
• Fisheries Observer
• Aquarist
• Fish Hatchery Technician
• Marine Science Lab Technician
• Marine Science Educator
• Marine Laboratory Director
• Marine Microbiologist
• Harmful Algal Bloom Scientist
• Plankton Ecologist
• Marine Protected Area Manager
• Freshwater Mussel Propagation Technician

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.