Also called: Marine Extension Specialist, Sea Grant Marine Advisor
Like a county farm agent for the coast: helps fishermen, oyster farmers and beach towns use science to solve real problems.
One day a Sea Grant agent teaches oyster farmers to spot disease, the next they help a beach town plan for flooding. They answer calls from charter captains, run workshops on new fishing rules, and turn university research into plain advice. Much of the job is driving between docks, town halls and classrooms.
University-based jobs in 34 state Sea Grant programs.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor’s in marine science; many positions want a master’s.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Science, Fisheries Science, Coastal Management.
Growing about average. Steady; funded by NOAA and states.
Low risk for 10 years. AI can draft fact sheets, but advising fishermen and towns in person depends on trust.
Classes: Biology, Public speaking, Environmental science.
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.