Discover the average salary for a marine biologist and the factors that influence the pay. Learn about career prospects and job responsibilities.
Marine biology is a fascinating and challenging field that combines a love for the ocean and its inhabitants with a desire to understand and protect them. But what about the financial side of things? How much does a marine biologist make, and what factors influence their salary? In this article, we’ll dive into the details of marine biologist salary and help you understand the career prospects and job responsibilities in this field.
Marine Biologist Salary Overview
So, what does a marine biologist make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for zoologists and wildlife biologists, which includes marine biologists, was $64,230 in February 2022. However, this number can vary greatly depending on several factors, including your level of education and experience, the type of employer you work for, and your location.
Salary Ranges for Marine Biologists
The salaries of Marine Biologists in the US range from $13,292 to $356,999, with a median salary of $64,435. The middle 57% of Marine Biologists make between $64,439 and $161,815, with the top 86% making $356,999.
The type of work you do can also impact your salary, with those working in research and development typically earning higher salaries than those working in education or outreach.
What is the average salary of a Marine Biologist by the state?
In the United States, the typical annual salary for a Marine Biologist is $71,006, according to available data by December 7, 2023. On top of this, the average bonus for a Marine Biologist is $1,693, which is equivalent to around 2% of their total pay. Almost all (99%) Marine Biologists report receiving a bonus each year.
Marine Biologists working in San Francisco earn the highest salaries in the country, with an average compensation package of $106,120, which is 49% higher than the national average.
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| Washington | $63,366 | $5,280 | $1,218 | $30.46 |
| Maryland | $62,231 | $5,185 | $1,196 | $29.92 |
| New York | $60,476 | $5,039 | $1,163 | $29.08 |
| Virginia | $60,361 | $5,030 | $1,160 | $29.02 |
| Delaware | $58,752 | $4,896 | $1,129 | $28.25 |
| Nebraska | $58,269 | $4,855 | $1,120 | $28.01 |
| Idaho | $57,909 | $4,825 | $1,113 | $27.84 |
| California | $56,775 | $4,731 | $1,091 | $27.30 |
| New Hampshire | $56,094 | $4,674 | $1,078 | $26.97 |
| Oklahoma | $55,678 | $4,639 | $1,070 | $26.77 |
| Massachusetts | $55,519 | $4,626 | $1,067 | $26.69 |
| Hawaii | $55,244 | $4,603 | $1,062 | $26.56 |
| Vermont | $55,186 | $4,598 | $1,061 | $26.53 |
| Nevada | $54,997 | $4,583 | $1,057 | $26.44 |
| Tennessee | $53,866 | $4,488 | $1,035 | $25.90 |
| Maine | $53,692 | $4,474 | $1,032 | $25.81 |
| Arizona | $53,243 | $4,436 | $1,023 | $25.60 |
| Wyoming | $52,938 | $4,411 | $1,018 | $25.45 |
| Connecticut | $52,775 | $4,397 | $1,014 | $25.37 |
| New Jersey | $52,757 | $4,396 | $1,014 | $25.36 |
| Alaska | $52,376 | $4,364 | $1,007 | $25.18 |
| Rhode Island | $52,209 | $4,350 | $1,004 | $25.10 |
| Oregon | $52,123 | $4,343 | $1,002 | $25.06 |
| Minnesota | $51,733 | $4,311 | $994 | $24.87 |
| Texas | $51,517 | $4,293 | $990 | $24.77 |
| Indiana | $51,410 | $4,284 | $988 | $24.72 |
| North Dakota | $51,007 | $4,250 | $980 | $24.52 |
| West Virginia | $50,969 | $4,247 | $980 | $24.50 |
| Montana | $50,847 | $4,237 | $977 | $24.45 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,757 | $4,146 | $956 | $23.92 |
| Wisconsin | $48,988 | $4,082 | $942 | $23.55 |
| South Dakota | $48,914 | $4,076 | $940 | $23.52 |
| Ohio | $48,782 | $4,065 | $938 | $23.45 |
| Colorado | $48,538 | $4,044 | $933 | $23.34 |
| Kentucky | $48,236 | $4,019 | $927 | $23.19 |
| Iowa | $48,198 | $4,016 | $926 | $23.17 |
| Utah | $47,968 | $3,997 | $922 | $23.06 |
| South Carolina | $47,535 | $3,961 | $914 | $22.85 |
| New Mexico | $46,396 | $3,866 | $892 | $22.31 |
| Alabama | $46,378 | $3,864 | $891 | $22.30 |
| Kansas | $46,222 | $3,851 | $888 | $22.22 |
| Arkansas | $45,930 | $3,827 | $883 | $22.08 |
| Mississippi | $45,341 | $3,778 | $871 | $21.80 |
| Illinois | $45,288 | $3,774 | $870 | $21.77 |
| Michigan | $45,270 | $3,772 | $870 | $21.76 |
| Missouri | $44,842 | $3,736 | $862 | $21.56 |
| Florida | $43,684 | $3,640 | $840 | $21.00 |
| Georgia | $42,669 | $3,555 | $820 | $20.51 |
| Louisiana | $41,418 | $3,451 | $796 | $19.91 |
| North Carolina | $39,831 | $3,319 | $765 | $19.15 |
Factors That Influence Marine Biologist Salary
The following are some of the key factors that can influence a marine biologist’s salary:
- Education: A higher level of education generally leads to a higher salary. A master’s degree or Ph.D. in marine biology can increase your earning potential and open up more advanced positions in the field.
- Experience: As with any career, experience plays a critical role in determining your salary as a marine biologist. The more experience you have, the higher your salary is likely to be.
- Employer: As mentioned earlier, the type of employer you work for can impact your salary. Government agencies tend to offer higher salaries than non-profit organizations, while research and development organizations often offer higher salaries than those in education and outreach.
- Location: Your location can also influence your salary as a marine biologist. Metropolitan areas, such as San Francisco or New York City, tend to offer higher salaries than rural areas.
Job Responsibilities of a Marine Biologist
As a marine biologist, your job responsibilities may include:
- Conducting research on the behavior, biology, and conservation of marine species
- Analyzing data and writing scientific papers on your findings
- Communicating your research to the public through presentations, articles, and other media
- Collaborating with other scientists, including marine ecologists, oceanographers, and zoologists
- Participating in conservation efforts to protect and preserve the world’s oceans and their inhabitants
- Monitoring and assessing the health of marine ecosystems
- Developing and implementing management plans for marine resources
Career Prospects for Marine Biologists
The job outlook for marine biologists
is positive, with the BLS projecting employment in the field to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029. This growth is due, in part, to increasing public awareness of the importance of preserving the world’s oceans and their inhabitants. Additionally, advances in technology have made it easier to study and understand the behavior of marine species, which has led to an increased demand for marine biologists.
One thing to keep in mind is that competition for jobs in marine biology can be fierce, particularly for higher-paying positions in research and development. As such, it’s important to have a strong educational background, as well as experience and connections in the field, to increase your chances of landing your dream job.
FAQs about Marine Biologist Salary
Q: What is the median annual salary for a marine biologist?
A: The median annual salary for a marine biologist, as reported by the BLS, is $64,230.
Q: What factors influence a marine biologist’s salary?
A: Education, experience, employer, and location are some of the key factors that can influence a marine biologist’s salary.
Q: Is the job outlook for marine biologists positive?
A: Yes, the job outlook for marine biologists is positive, with the BLS projecting employment in the field to grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029.
Q: What are the job responsibilities of a marine biologist?
A: The job responsibilities of a marine biologist can include conducting research, analyzing data, writing scientific papers, communicating research to the public, collaborating with other scientists, participating in conservation efforts, monitoring and assessing the health of marine ecosystems, and developing and implementing management plans for marine resources.
Conclusion
Marine biology is a fascinating and challenging field that offers a chance to work with some of the world’s most magnificent creatures and help protect the ocean and its inhabitants.
If you’re considering a career as a marine biologist, you can expect to make a median salary of $64,230, although this number can vary depending on your level of education and experience, the type of employer you work for, and your location.
With a positive job outlook and a growing demand for marine biologists, now is an excellent time to start pursuing a career in this exciting field.