Also called: Marine Mammal Vet, Zoo and Aquarium Vet
A veterinarian who treats dolphins, sea lions, sharks, sea turtles, and fish.
Aquarium vets might ultrasound a pregnant dolphin, anesthetize a shark for surgery, or treat stranded sea turtles. It is one of the most competitive specialties in veterinary medicine.
Based on BLS veterinarians median (~$125k); aquarium jobs are few.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 8 years after high school. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (4 years after college) plus aquatic animal medicine internships or residency.
Ways in: 4-year college, Professional school. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Biology, Animal Science, Marine Biology, Pre-Veterinary.
Growing much faster than average (about 10% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps read ultrasounds and bloodwork; anesthetizing sharks and treating stranded turtles stay hands-on medicine.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1131.
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.