Marine Biologist

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Work Tasks

• Study plants and animals living in salt water and their relationship to their surroundings
• Use what they learn to make new products, such as medicines, or to improve the environment
• Test the plants and animals to find out more about them
• Work for colleges, universities, the government, and research and development labs
• Work with marine plants and animals, electron microscopes, thermal cyclers, lab equipment, computers, and written reports of their findings

Salary, Size & Growth

• $61,000 average per year ($29.25 per hour)
• A small occupation (17,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.3% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in marine biology.
• Employers Prefer: A Ph.D. degree
• Skills/Courses: College courses include biology, chemistry, math, physics, aquatic biology, and computer science.