Ranked list · 10 careers
10 Marine Biology and Ocean Science Jobs, Ranked by Fit and Pay (2026)
Coral Reef Ecologist tops this list at $76,780 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +3.6% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 10 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
- Careers on this list
- 10From 1,731 in the bank
- Median pay on the list
- $57,510BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Projected to grow
- 10 of 10BLS EP, 2025–2035
- Openings a year
- 124,700Combined, BLS EP
Method
How we built this list
Careers studying and caring for ocean life: marine and fisheries biologists, aquarists, oceanographers, research divers and marine conservation roles. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
- Careers studying and caring for ocean life: marine and fisheries biologists, aquarists, oceanographers, research divers and marine conservation roles. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The list
The top 10 marine biology jobs
100% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
- 1
1. Coral Reef Ecologist
Specialty within wildlife biologist
- Median pay
- $76,780median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
A marine scientist who studies, monitors and restores coral reefs, diving to survey reef health and running restoration and research projects.
- 2
2. Fisheries Observer
Specialty within biological technician
- Median pay
- $57,510median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +7.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
A biologist who goes to sea on commercial fishing boats to record catch, bycatch and protected species interactions for NOAA Fisheries management.
- 3
3. Protected Species Observer
Specialty within biological technician
- Median pay
- $57,510median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +7.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Watches for whales, dolphins and sea turtles from ships and platforms during offshore construction, seismic surveys and dredging, and orders work to pause when animals come too close.
- 4
4. Biologist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $98,920median a year
- Growth
- +4.7%
- Openings / yr
- 4,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.
- 5
5. Wildlife Biologist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $76,780median a year
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife.
- 6
6. Biological Technician
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $57,510median a year
- Growth
- +7.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Assist biological and medical scientists.
- 7
7. Scientific Diver
Specialty within biological technician
- Median pay
- $57,510median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +7.4%
- Openings / yr
- 9,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Dives to collect data and samples underwater for research on coral reefs, kelp forests, fisheries and underwater archaeology.
- 8
8. Animal Trainer
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $39,990median a year
- Growth
- +4.2%
- Openings / yr
- 6,500
- Education
- High school
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities.
- 9
9. Marine Mammal Trainer
Specialty within animal trainer
- Median pay
- $39,990median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.2%
- Openings / yr
- 6,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Cares for and trains dolphins, sea lions, seals and other marine mammals at aquariums, zoos and research facilities, using positive reinforcement.
- 10
10. Scuba Diving Instructor
Specialty within recreation worker
- Median pay
- $36,560median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.3%
- Openings / yr
- 67,000
- Education
- High school
Teaches people to scuba dive safely and leads certified divers on underwater tours at dive shops, resorts, and liveaboard boats.
Questions
Marine Biology Jobs: FAQ
What is the top career on the marine biology jobs list?
Coral Reef Ecologist leads the list with a median wage of $76,780 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +3.6% over 2025–2035. Typical entry-level education is bachelor's.
How was this list put together?
Careers studying and caring for ocean life: marine and fisheries biologists, aquarists, oceanographers, research divers and marine conservation roles. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Careers studying and caring for ocean life: marine and fisheries biologists, aquarists, oceanographers, research divers and marine conservation roles. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and O*NET 31.0 Database.
How much do marine biology jobs pay?
Across the 10 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $57,510 a year, from $36,560 at the bottom to $98,920 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
2 of the 10 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035).