Career Opportunities in Marine Biology and their Salaries

Check out some of the Career Opportunities in Marine Biology. Also, this article provides a brief description of these careers and their salaries.

Marine biology studies aquatic organisms and how the various aquatic habitats interact with other aspects of the environment.

The field is fascinating, although it might be challenging because a lot of effort is needed to understand the aquatic animals and water bodies. 

Career Opportunities in Marine Biology 

We have numerous careers in the field of marine biology. Still, we will explore a few available jobs in the area. In the post, we discuss the following careers. 

• Botanist 
• Marine Biologist 
• Environmental Consultant 
• Aquarist 
• Oceanographer
• Ocean Engineer  
• Aquatic Veterinary

Botanist 

First, on the list of careers, we will explore a botanist. Botanist studies the nature, lifecycle, and environment of plants. The earth is full of plants that live on land and water.

As a result, each of these plants is of significant interest to botanists.

However, a botanist can specialize in studying aquatic plants as an area of interest and hence needs a major in marine biology as a booster for knowledge and qualification. 

Roles and Responsibilities of a Botanist 

• Research the threatened plant species and create plans for their preservation.
• Record the precise facts when conducting plant survey evaluations.
• Recognize, find and identify plant species during on- and off-field inspections.
• Verify that the procedures and records adhere to the fundamental botanical requirements.
• Collect and get ready plant voucher specimens.
• Inform the public about the best practices that benefit plants.
• Help with project planning and choosing appropriate plants for tasks.

Salary 

According to Payscale, the average salary of a botanist in a year is $51,490.

Also, check out Career Opportunities in VFX.

Marine Biologist 

Marine biologist focuses on life in the aquatic environment. Furthermore, they study their nature, behavior, and interactions with one another and the environment. 

Roles and Responsibilities of a Marine Biologist 

• Collect samples and specimens from the ocean and other water bodies for further investigation and experiments. 
• Document the findings from the research 
• Create awareness of the human impact affecting aquatic life negatively. 
• Keep track of endangered species or required species for study. 
• Provide training for interns, associates, and laboratory assistants in marine biology.
• Stay updated on the recent research and development in marine biology. 
• Conduct a study on the population of specific species and their geographic location. 

Salary 

According to Payscale, the average salary of a marine biologist is $52,113 per year. 

Oceanographer 

Another career on the list is an oceanographer. Oceanographers extensively study the ocean and seas, including the organisms and habitats.

Furthermore, they research and analyze the ocean and seas’ physical and chemical compositions using techniques coupled with mathematics and science. 

Roles and Responsibilities of an Oceanographer 

• Test and analyze samples and species of organisms gathered from the ocean and sea
• Use statistical models to postulate and monitor the trends and changes in the study of the ocean and the various life forms in it. 
• Participate in organizing and planning ocean expeditions for research purposes. 
• Study the ocean’s physical attributes, such as waves, tides, and currents.
• Conduct a sample study of the population of the life forms in the ocean. 
• Prepare reports and research papers detailing findings and recommendations. 
• Identify and resolve deficiencies in water level datasets and metadata required to produce oceanographic products.

Salary 

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of an oceanographer is $46,417 per year. 

Environmental Consultant 

Environmental consultants are advocates for a better environment, running sensitization programs to educate the organization and public about the practices and approaches that endanger the sustainability of the environment. 

However, there is room for an environmental consultant in marine biology as one of the most abundant resources on earth is water which needs to be conserved.

Roles and Responsibilities of an Environmental Consultant 

• Conduct site and field inspections to understand the damage or possible damage. 
• Predict prospective environmental issues 
• Check the compliance with environmental safety standards on the site.
• Research pollution and contamination levels from accumulated data
• Prepare inspection reports from the field trip.

Salary 

According to CareerExplorer, the average salary of an environmental consultant in a year is $76,510. 

Also, check out Career Opportunities in Animal Husbandry.

Aquarist

An aquarist is an individual that ensures the safety and welfare of aquatic animals in an aquarium.

In addition, they use the knowledge of marine biology to understand the animals and how best to take care of them. Sanctuaries, zoos, enclosed ponds, rivers, and lakes are the places where an aquarist can work. 

Roles and Responsibilities of an Aquarist 

• Ensure the water tanks or the environment of the animals is sanitized properly 
• Conduct routine checks for the signs and symptoms of injury or illness in the animals 
• Check the animals’ environmental conditions to ascertain they do not harm the animals.
• Give food and medications to animals.
• Provide information for visitors to the aquarium.
• Conduct research on the various species in the aquarium. 

Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of an aquarist is $33,866 yearly. 

Ocean Engineer 

Ocean engineers design and build ships, dikes, rigs, and other oceanic equipment. Furthermore, they combine their field of study with the knowledge of marine biology to research the methods to be used.

Consequently, having a major in marine biology or the ability of it is equally important as the engineering knowledge

Roles and Responsibilities of an Ocean Engineer 

• Perform maintenance and repair of the ships and other structures. 
• Design equipment and tools for an underwater expedition
• Research to design and build structures to understand the physical and chemical environment of the seas and oceans. 
• Draft and prepare the technical manuals, guides, and other helpful documentation. 

Salary 

According to salary.com, the average salary of an ocean engineer in a year is $72,777. 

Aquatic Veterinarian 

Aquatic veterinarians specialize in the healthcare treatment of marine animals that are either ill or injured. In addition,  they perform medical checks for the animals and administer medications.

Because aquatic animals need healthcare, especially those in a confined environment, marine vets are highly in demand.

Roles and Responsibilities of an Aquatic Veterinarian

• Perform surgical operations for the marine animals when necessary 
• Attend to emergencies regarding the health of the aquatic animals 
• Run diagnosis test to determine the cause of the illness and develop a treatment plan 
• Vaccinate the animals to boost their immunity. 
• Take note of the recuperative process of the animals after the surgical procedure. 
• Observe the animal’s response to treatment and monitor its behavior. 

Salary 

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of an aquatic veterinarian is $93,087 per year. 

Final Notes on Career Opportunities in Marine Biology and their Salaries

To sum it up, marine biology is an exciting career path with several opportunities available in the field. The area has different disciplines, making it a marketable career choice.

Furthermore, marine biology helps us understand how water and its life forms are part of our physical environment and how to use them for our benefit. 

Before you go, check out Career Opportunities in Soil Science.