Also called: Cetologist, Whale Researcher
Studies whales, dolphins, seals, and manatees in the wild.
Researchers follow whales in small boats, fly drones to photograph and measure them, record their songs, and collect tissue samples, then spend months analyzing data.
Top tier due to long training; positions are competitive.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in marine biology or ecology.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Zoology, Ecology.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI now IDs individual whales by fin photos and sorts calls; boat and drone fieldwork and study design stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Statistics, Physics.
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.