Also called: Marine Invertebrate Taxonomist, Benthic Taxonomist
Identifies and names marine creatures, including new species of worms, crabs, and sea slugs.
A taxonomist sorts through mud samples from the seafloor under a microscope, identifies hundreds of tiny animals, and sometimes describes a species no one has named before.
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 biology; many have a master's.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Zoology.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 19-1023: Average (3% to 4%).
Medium risk for 10 years. DNA barcoding and AI image ID speed species identification; experts still describe new species and settle hard cases.
Classes: AP Biology, Statistics, Art or scientific drawing.
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.