Marine Science Professor

Teaches college marine science and leads ocean research projects.

A day in the life

Takes students tide-pooling for a lab class, then reviews a graduate student's data from a research cruise.

Pay over a career

Starting

$60k

Typical

$95k

High

$175k

Estimate.

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

Training

Doctorate (PhD), about 12 years after high school. PhD plus postdoctoral experience.

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

Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Oceanography.

Outlook

Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Estimate.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. AI helps grade and draft grants; teaching in tide pools, mentoring and leading research cruises stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, Speech.

• National Ocean Sciences Bowl
• Tutor classmates in science
• Aquarium teen volunteer program

Official data: O*NET occupation 25-1051.

More Marine & Freshwater Biology careers

• Marine Biologist
• Biological Oceanographer
• Deep-Sea Biologist
• 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 Biotechnologist
• 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.