Mammalogist

Also called: Mammal Biologist

Studies mammals, from bats and rodents to bears and whales.

A day in the life

Live-traps small mammals in a forest, records weights and DNA samples, and studies how populations shift with climate change.

Pay over a career

Starting

$55k

Typical

$75k

High

$110k

Estimate.

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

Training

Master's degree, about 7 years after high school. Master's or PhD in zoology or wildlife biology.

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

Majors to look at: Zoology, Wildlife Biology.

Outlook

Growing about average. Tracks BLS biological scientists.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. Camera traps and AI sorting help, but live-trapping and handling animals stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, Statistics.

• Snapshot USA or Zooniverse camera-trap projects
• Volunteer at a wildlife rehab center
• Envirothon

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1023.

More Zoology, Evolution & Organismal Biology careers

• Entomologist
• Medical Entomologist
• Herpetologist
• Ornithologist
• Primatologist
• Animal Behaviorist (Ethologist)
• Paleontologist
• Natural History Museum Curator
• Comparative Physiologist
• Taxonomist
• Bee Researcher (Apiculturist)
• Natural History Collections Manager
• Mosquito / Vector Control Technician
• Fossil Preparator
• Insectary Technician
• Museum Collections Assistant
• Ichthyologist
• Malacologist
• Nematologist
• Biomimicry Specialist
• Animal Biomechanist
• Osteological Preparator
• Natural Sound Archivist
• Cephalopod Culturist

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.