Also called: Ocean Microbiologist
Studies the trillions of tiny microbes in seawater that make oxygen and drive the ocean's chemistry.
A marine microbiologist filters seawater on a research ship, sequences DNA in the lab, and studies how microbes respond to warming oceans.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. Bachelor's in biology, then usually a PhD.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Microbiology, Marine Biology, Oceanography.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 19-1022: Faster than average (5% to 6%).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds DNA sequence analysis; sampling at sea, lab experiments and the questions themselves stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1022.
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.