marine biologist salary
Marine Biologist Salary
This Buzzle article discusses how the average salary of a marine biologist varies from place to place, depending on the educational qualification, work experience, and the type of research unit hiring the marine biologist. With great variations in the salary, the field of marine biology has lot to offer in terms of challenges and rewards.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is projected to grow 5% from 2012 to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations.
If you ever watch discovery or national geographic channels, you must have seen marine biologists sailing in big ships and boats to some exotic as well as deadly locations of the ocean world. Yes! the field of marine biology is an extremely challenging field, that gives you great career opportunities to explore the mystic world under water.
The marine biologist salary range is mostly dependent on the location of the job. A marine biologist working in an elite research institution earns more than those working with smaller institutions. It is to be understood that research work associated with marine biology is usually funded by government and large private sector institutions. The fund is usually limited, and hence, the competition is very high. There are many more marine biologists seeking work than there are jobs available. Job aspirants with higher educational degrees and impressive research profiles are generally preferred by employers. Some marine biologists also work in schools and colleges as teachers and professors, offering their valuable knowledge and skills to the students. To become a faculty member at a research institution, you need to earn a PhD.
Salary Range of a Marine Biologist
➻ The average salary for a marine biologist may vary depending on several factors, like level of education, amount of experience, industry, company size, and location. Higher salaries are found in private research companies and government agencies.
➻ According to PayScale, the average annual salary of a marine biologist is $51,776.
➻ At entry level, the salary can be around $30K - $45K, depending on the place the marine biologist is hired.
➻ Experienced marine biologists earn over $100K annually.
➻ Annual faculty salaries are much higher, in the range of $60,000 to $125,000.
For some aspirants, the excitement and challenges of working close to the ocean world, is a driving factor for pursuing a career in marine biology. Though being a rewarding career in terms of job satisfaction, many aspirants are hesitant to enter in this field, due to the prevailing perception that marine biologist salary is very low. The fact however is that a marine biologist's salary is not very less, and it fluctuates with the years of work experience and job location.Job Description
Marine biology is a field that is concerned with the study, analysis, and research of the aquatic life and ecosystem in various sources of water like oceans, lakes, rivers, or other aquatic mediums. A marine biologist is expected to study the marine ecosystem, and understand the environmental threats they are susceptible to, in the changing climatic patterns in the recent years. By conducting scientific researches and analyzing data, marine biologists are able to help the environmentalists to save the marine life. Some of the job duties of the marine biologists include, conducting inside and outside laboratory tests, preparing reports on conducted research, and submitting them to the authorities. Marine biologists volunteer in schools, colleges, and world tours to educate and spread awareness about marine life and its care. For more information, you may like to read marine biologist job description.Educational Requirements for Becoming a Marine Biologist
An undergraduate and postgraduate degree in subjects related to marine biology are necessary to get into this field. An undergraduate degree in marine biology field like oceanography, marine science, marine biology, and fisheries sciences, can be of great help to the aspiring candidates. After the post graduation degree, one should work for a few years, and can later complete a doctorate in courses of marine biology. A good work experience plays a crucial part in improving employment opportunities. One can also go to a good counselor to learn about the intricate details of the marine biologist job requirements.