Marine Conservation Scientist

Also called: Marine Ecologist (Research)

Researches threats to ocean ecosystems and how to fix them.

A day in the life

Conservation scientists study overfishing, warming, and pollution, then design marine protected areas and restoration plans, splitting time between fieldwork and data analysis.

Pay over a career

Starting
$60k
Typical
$95k
High
$150k

Training

Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in marine ecology or conservation biology.

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

Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Ecology, Conservation Biology.

Outlook

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

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. AI handles more data and modeling; fieldwork, study design and advising on protected areas stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, Statistics.

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1031.

More Marine Conservation & Coastal Management careers

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.