Marine Biologist

Marine Biologist Job Description

The ocean is vast and there are still areas of it that are unexplored. There are a plethora of areas to study for those who wish to be marine biologists. Some study one particular organism or animal found in the ocean. This could involve studying mammals like seals, dolphins, or polar bears, or reptiles like sea turtles or snakes. Many people have researched these before but those with creative minds can find new avenues to study. Marine biologists who study a particular animal will usually get to come in contact with or observe the animal. This is also true for biologists studying a certain type of organism or location. This allows marine biologists to come into contact with a variety of species and locations.

Marine Biologist Salary Statistics as of 2015

Average annual salary for a Marine Biologist is $53681 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest salary recorded was $111942. The lowest salary reported was $27148. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.

Median hourly wage for a Marine Biologist is $26.69 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest hourly rate recorded was $55.66. The lowest hourly rate recorded was $13.5. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.

Bonuses for a Marine Biologist are based on the years of experience using statistics from the U.S. as of 2015. The average bonus recorded was $8000 from people with 15+ years of experience. The average bonus recorded was $55 from people with under 1 year of experience.

These are the highest paying states for a Marine Biologist. These numbers are based of the median annual salary as of 2015.
California – $24,453 – $249,899
Florida – $33,573 – $147,637
Hawaii – $35,479 – $83,885
Massachusetts – $42,550 – $64,116
North Carolina – $42,000 – $62,750
Texas – $36,625 – $94,333
Washington – $34,392 – $71,216

These are the highest paying cities for a Marine Biologist. These numbers are based of the median annual salary as of 2015.
Miami, Florida –
Honolulu, Hawaii –
San Diego, California –
Tampa, Florida –
Los Angeles, California –
Boston, Massachusetts –
Seattle, Washington –

This chart outlines the average annual salary of a Marine Biologist from the past 5 years. In 2015 the average annual salary was $53681 while in 2007 it was just $49782.82

How To Become a Marine Biologist

Marine Biologists need a bachelors and masters degree. Since the competition between marine biologists is high those who finish with honors and go to impressive schools have an edge on others in the field. Many marine biologists often write papers and make contributions to the field not for money but to stand out. Marine biologists will need experience working in the lab and out in the field regardless of preference. Many marine biologists often shadow or intern others in the field.

Job Outlook

While there are thousands of possible study topics for marine biologists, resources can be limited. Often there are a greater number of biologists specializing in a field than there are jobs. The search for a job can be competitive. Funding is also limited on certain projects. Many marine biologists may have to secure their own funding or work for companies where funding is limited. Marine biologists will often fight over the same funding and positions. Only those who are committed to their projects and have inventive ideas will succeed in the field.