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. BLS does not publish separate figures for biological technicians; it counts them within biological technician (SOC 19-4021), whose median pay is $57,510 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-4021
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Protected Species Observer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $57,510a year, or $27.65/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $40KTop 10% $85K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +7.4%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+7.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +7.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 9,40074,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202574.4K
- Projected 203579.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 74.4K Projected 2035 79.9K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school14.5%
- Certificate2.5%
- Some college14.5%
- Bachelor's62.8%
- Doctorate0.2%
- Post-doctoral training5.6%
Highest education held by biological technicians Segment Value High school 14.5% Certificate 2.5% Some college 14.5% Bachelor's 62.8% Doctorate 0.2% Post-doctoral training 5.6%
Also advertised as: PSO, Marine Mammal Observer, Protected Species Monitor, Passive Acoustic Monitoring Operator, Marine Wildlife Observer.
Pay
How much do Biological Technicians make?
Every protected species observer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$57,510
Middle half earn $48,130 to $71,520
- 10th
- $40,330
- 25th
- $48,130
- 75th
- $71,520
- 90th
- $84,940
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,330 |
| 25th | $48,130 |
| Median | $57,510 |
| 75th | $71,520 |
| 90th | $84,940 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $57,510
- Median hourly wage
- $27.65/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $61,380
- People employed
- 69,620
Versus all US occupations
At $57,510, Biological Technicians earn 13% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $6,530 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 30% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $84,940 or more while the bottom 10% earn $40,330, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 29% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($71,440), but once local prices are taken into account Mississippi leads at $65,472 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Biological Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $71,440 | $64,523 | 9,210 |
| 2New Jersey | $66,040 | $60,696 | 1,290 |
| 3District of Columbia | $64,770 | $58,935 | 210 |
| 4Connecticut | $62,360 | $60,187 | 650 |
| 5Massachusetts | $62,070 | $58,691 | 8,430 |
| 6North Carolina | $61,720 | $65,433 | 2,460 |
| 7New York | $61,210 | $56,717 | 5,050 |
| 8Washington | $60,800 | $56,816 | 3,210 |
| 9Maine | $60,160 | $61,989 | 510 |
| 10Colorado | $59,400 | $57,641 | 1,990 |
Job outlook
Is Protected Species Observer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +7.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Biological Technicians | +7.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Biological Technicians to change 7.4% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.1× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 5,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 9,400 openings are projected each year, 12.6% of the 74,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Protected Species Observer
Most observers have a bachelor's degree in marine biology or another natural science, though relevant field experience can substitute. NOAA Fisheries reviews observer credentials for specific projects and, in most regions, requires a training certificate from an approved provider; for Gulf of Mexico seismic work this is a BOEM- and BSEE-approved course.
Offshore safety training and a medical clearance are standard, and experience with marine mammal identification, from whale-watching, research or stranding work, helps. Observers are typically hired by environmental contractors and work project to project.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as biological technicians.
- Bachelor's Degree62.8%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)14.5%
- Some College Courses14.5%
- Post-Doctoral Training5.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 62.8% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 14.5% |
| Some College Courses | 14.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 5.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Protected Species Observer do?
Protected species observers make sure marine industries follow the conditions of their federal permits. From the bridge or an observation platform, they scan the water with binoculars for marine mammals and sea turtles during pile driving for offshore wind farms, seismic surveys, dredging and demolition.
When a protected animal enters the exclusion zone around the work, the observer calls for the activity to shut down or delay until it is clear. Observers record every sighting, species, behavior and distance, and many also run passive acoustic monitoring systems that detect whale calls underwater, including at night. At the end of each project they compile data and reports that go to NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
Day-to-day tasks
- Scan for marine mammals and sea turtles during offshore operations
- Call for shutdowns or delays when animals enter exclusion zones
- Identify species and record sightings and behavior
- Operate passive acoustic monitoring equipment
- Brief vessel crews on mitigation requirements
- Compile monitoring data and compliance reports for regulators
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Observers live aboard vessels or platforms for rotations of several weeks, working long watches in sun, wind and rough seas. Work is project-based, with periods between contracts. The job requires sustained concentration, comfort with confined shipboard living, and the confidence to stop expensive operations when required.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Science3.8
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Writing3.5
- Active Learning3.5
- Speaking3.4
- Monitoring3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Science | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
| Active Learning | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Systems Analysis2.9
- Systems Evaluation2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 2.9 |
| Systems Evaluation | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Map creation software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Protected Species Observer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RIC) built on O*NET's Biological Technician profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Protected Species Observer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.7
- Conventional5.6
- Investigative5.4
- Social2.0
- Enterprising1.3
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Protected Species Observer
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
$62,930median a year
Most earn $39K to $101K
+2.7%Bachelor's - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
$62,930median a year
Most earn $39K to $101K
+2.7%Bachelor's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with biological technicians highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
- Protected Species Observer$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
| Protected Species Observer | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Protected Species Observer appears on
Questions
Protected Species Observer: frequently asked questions
How much do Biological Technicians make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for biological technicians. It counts them within biological technician, whose median pay is $57,510 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $48,130 and $71,520, and the top 10% earn $84,940 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Protected Species Observer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Biological Technicians, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 62.8% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Protected Species Observer a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 7.4% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 9,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Protected Species Observer do?
Protected species observers make sure marine industries follow the conditions of their federal permits. A typical task: scan for marine mammals and sea turtles during offshore operations. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base user interface and query software, Development environment software.
Which states pay Biological Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Biological Technicians are California ($71,440), New Jersey ($66,040), District of Columbia ($64,770) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Mississippi moves to the top at $65,472.
What personality type suits a Protected Species Observer?
O*NET scores Biological Technicians highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.