Marine biologists are typically classified by the BLS under the broader category of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023), which reported a median annual salary of approximately $67,760 as of 2024 BLS data.
Marine biology is not separately tracked as a distinct SOC code, which means salary data for the field relies on this broader classification plus supplemental industry and academic sources.
Pay varies considerably by employer type (government agency, academia, private research organization, aquarium), degree level (bachelor's vs. master's vs. doctoral), and the specific research or applied focus of the role.
Marine biology is a competitive field with relatively few available positions compared to the number of graduates, which tends to moderate median wages.
Geographic location — particularly access to coastal research facilities, federal agencies, and academic institutions — plays a meaningful role in career and compensation outcomes.
For related natural science career pay, compare the zoologist salary and wildlife biologist salary.
Marine Biologist Salary Overview (2026)
The BLS does not track marine biologist as a separate occupation.
The closest published category is Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023).
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, this category earned a median annual wage of approximately $67,760 as of 2024 BLS data.
The median hourly rate was approximately $32.58.
The median represents the midpoint of all reported wages.
The mean (average) may be somewhat higher, as senior researchers and principal investigators at federal agencies or academic institutions can earn above the median.
The table below shows the estimated wage distribution for zoologists and wildlife biologists — the closest BLS proxy for marine biologists — based on 2024 BLS data:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | ~$41,000 | ~$19.71 |
| 25th | ~$52,000 | ~$25.00 |
| 50th (Median) | ~$67,760 | ~$32.58 |
| 75th | ~$90,000 | ~$43.27 |
| 90th | ~$116,000 | ~$55.77 |
For a complete breakdown of how any hourly wage in these ranges translates to annual, monthly, weekly, and after-tax take-home, see our hourly-to-annual salary conversion guides.
Marine Biologist Pay by Experience Level
Marine biologist compensation is closely tied to degree level and career stage.
Entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree are often research assistant, field technician, or lab assistant roles at relatively modest pay.
Doctoral-level researchers and those who secure tenure-track or federal career-ladder positions see substantially higher earnings over time.
Building a track record of published research, securing independent grant funding, and moving into senior or principal investigator roles are the primary paths to higher compensation in this field.
| Career Stage | Estimated Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (B.S., 0–2 years) | $36,000 – $48,000 |
| Mid-Level (M.S., 3–7 years) | $52,000 – $72,000 |
| Senior Researcher / Ph.D. (8+ years) | $70,000 – $120,000+ |
Estimates are based on 2024 BLS data and federal pay scale data. Academic positions may include additional benefits such as housing allowances at some research institutions.
Degree and Specialization Differences
A doctoral degree (Ph.D.) is typically required for independent research positions, tenure-track faculty roles, and principal investigator status at federal agencies such as NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
Marine biologists with master's degrees may work as research associates, environmental consultants, or in applied management roles with moderate compensation.
Specializations within marine biology — including fisheries science, marine mammal biology, coral reef ecology, deep-sea biology, and oceanography — each have different employment landscapes and may be associated with different compensation norms based on federal and private research funding priorities.
Marine Biologist Salary by State and Region
Geographic location is one of the most important factors in marine biologist career access and compensation.
Marine biology positions are concentrated in coastal states — particularly California, Florida, Washington, Hawaii, and the Gulf Coast states — as well as in cities home to NOAA regional centers, major research universities, and large public aquariums.
Federal marine biology and fisheries science positions — classified under GS pay schedules — are concentrated in Pacific Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast coastal markets.
California coastal institutions (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, UC Santa Barbara, etc.) are among the largest employers and may offer competitive research salaries, though the cost of living in California is an important consideration.
Marine biologists in Washington State should similarly weigh the cost of living in Washington State against local NOAA and university salaries.
Those willing to work at remote field stations or in coastal developing regions may face different compensation structures than those at large institutional research centers.
Factors That Affect Marine Biologist Pay
Several factors influence marine biologist compensation, including degree level, employer type, grant funding success, and specialization.
Employer Type
Federal agencies — including NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency — are major employers of marine biologists and pay on the GS (General Schedule) pay scale, which provides structured, transparent salary grades based on experience and education.
Academic positions at research universities may range from postdoctoral fellow (typically $55,000–$70,000) to assistant professor to full professor (potentially $100,000–$150,000+).
Private sector employers — including environmental consulting firms, biotechnology companies working with marine organisms, and aquaculture companies — may offer competitive salaries in specific niches.
Marine biologists on a government pay scale should review 401(k) contribution strategy options available through their federal or state employer plans.
Grant Funding
In academic and non-profit research settings, a marine biologist's ability to secure competitive grant funding (from NSF, NOAA Sea Grant, DOE, private foundations) directly affects their research program, salary support, and career advancement.
Principal investigators who successfully fund large multi-year grants may support their own salary partially or fully from grant funds and have greater financial stability than those dependent on institutional base funding alone.
Specialization
Applied specializations — such as fisheries management, environmental impact assessment, aquaculture, and ocean data science — may offer more stable employment and sometimes higher compensation than basic research ecology positions.
Bioinformatics, species distribution modeling, and remote sensing skills are increasingly valued in marine biology and may open additional career paths in government and private sectors.
Competition and Field Size
Marine biology is a competitive field with relatively few permanent positions relative to the number of degree holders.
The tenure-track academic job market in marine and aquatic sciences is particularly competitive.
This supply-demand imbalance may moderate overall wages compared to fields with greater employer demand, particularly at the entry and early-career levels.
Marine Biologist Career Outlook
The employment outlook for zoologists and wildlife biologists — the BLS category that encompasses most marine biologists — is modest.
According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment is projected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032, roughly in line with the national average, with approximately 1,700 openings per year.
Given that marine biologists are a subset of this already small occupation, the absolute number of marine biology-specific openings is likely lower than the total for the SOC category.
Demand for marine biologists is driven by growing concerns about ocean health, climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, fisheries management, and biodiversity conservation.
Federal funding for ocean science and fisheries management through NOAA and related agencies supports ongoing employment, though funding levels fluctuate with federal budget cycles.
Growing interest in blue economy sectors — including offshore renewable energy, sustainable aquaculture, and marine biotechnology — may create new employment pathways for marine biologists with applied skills.
Marine biologists in academia or research institutions should build financial resilience through a high-yield savings account and review retirement savings targets for their career stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for a marine biologist?
Marine biologists are not separately tracked by the BLS. The closest category, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023), reported a median annual wage of approximately $67,760 as of 2024 BLS data.
Actual marine biologist salaries vary by degree level, employer type, and specialization.
Compare the zoologist salary and epidemiologist salary for a broader picture of life science career compensation.
Do you need a Ph.D. to be a marine biologist?
A Ph.D. is generally required for independent research positions, tenure-track faculty roles, and principal investigator status at federal research agencies.
Bachelor's and master's degrees open positions as field technicians, research associates, and in applied roles such as environmental consulting or fisheries management, though career advancement may be more limited without a doctoral degree.
Where do most marine biologists work?
Most marine biologists work in coastal states with access to ocean research infrastructure — including California, Florida, Washington, and the Gulf Coast — at universities, federal agencies (NOAA, USFWS), aquariums, and environmental consulting firms.
Federal positions are paid on the GS pay scale, while academic salaries vary by institution and rank.
How competitive is the job market for marine biologists?
The field is notably competitive, with many more degree holders than permanent positions — particularly in academic research.
Tenure-track faculty positions in marine and aquatic sciences are among the most competitive in biological sciences.
Applied roles in fisheries management, environmental consulting, and government agencies may offer somewhat more accessible pathways, especially for those with quantitative and data science skills.
What is the job growth outlook for marine biologists?
The BLS projects 3% employment growth for zoologists and wildlife biologists (the closest BLS category to marine biologists) from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 1,700 openings per year.
Marine biology-specific openings are a subset of this figure.
Demand is supported by ocean conservation, fisheries management, and growing blue economy sectors, but positions remain limited relative to the field's popularity as a career choice.
Given the competitive nature of the field, marine biologists should apply salary negotiation techniques when accepting positions and track their financial progress against average net worth by age benchmarks.
Sources & References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023). May 2024. — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191023.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists. 2024–2025 Edition. — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists.htm
- O*NET OnLine. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (19-1023.00). National Center for O*NET Development. — https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-1023.00
Last updated: April 27, 2026