Marine Biology Careers

Marine biology is the study of oceanic plant and animal life. Many people may envision scientists romping in the water with whales or dolphins when they think of the work of a marine biologist. However, very few marine biology jobs are actually as glamorous as the ones we may see on television.

In addition to fieldwork, marine biologists also conduct important research behind the scenes. Career options in marine biology are as vast as they are varied. Research, public policy, environmental management, ecology, biochemistry, ocean farming, genetic research and conservation are all areas that employ marine biologists. The field of marine biology is very large, which means that most scientists will eventually settle on one area of specialization.

Educational Requirements for Marine Biologists

Most marine biology jobs require at least a B.S. degree in marine biology or a related scientific field, such as biology or zoology. However, competition for marine biology jobs is fierce, with many of the better positions going to applicants who have at least a master's degree. Potential marine biologists should be prepared to continue their education into graduate school and possibly beyond.

Typical Marine Biology Jobs

There are so many different jobs available to marine biologists that it would be impossible to mention them all. Some of the more popular occupations include:

• Project Management. Marine biologists can work on a variety of projects, including marine pest control, examining protected marine areas, studying the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems or analyzing the environmental effects of aquaculture.
• Public Policy. Marine biologists who go into public policy have a wide variety of options available to them. Some work as policy experts for conservation. They closely follow legislation related to their area of specialization, and work with members of Congress to push or oppose legislative proposals that affect their work. Other areas of public policy include scientific societies and federal agencies.
• Research. Many marine biologists choose to work in research. This is a field where advanced degrees come in handy, since most senior research positions go to applicants who have a master's degree or Ph.D. in their area of study. Specialization is also important in research, as marine biology encompasses so many diverse fields.Marine biologists can choose to study a single organism or species. They can conduct research in the relatively new field of marine biotechnology. Or they can delve into molecular biology and study bodies of water and the organisms that inhabit them. The possibilities available in research-based marine biology careers are seemingly endless.

Employers

Most marine biology jobs are available through government agencies, which means that these positions are dependent on federal funding and can be highly competitive. Other employers for marine biologists include aerospace corporations, colleges and universities, conservation agencies, ecological consulting firms, fisheries, medical laboratories, museums, aquaria and research organizations.

Salary

A marine biologists salary depends on a variety of factors and can vary greatly from one scientist to the next. Factors affecting salary include the job position, education and experience. Entry-level marine biologists with a bachelor's degree can make a starting salary of around $30,000 per year. With more education and experience, that number could increase to $50,000 or $60,000. Some scientists with more than 30 years in the field have reported earnings of over $100,000.