How to Become a Marine Biologist
So your love of the ocean has led you to consider a career in marine biology. Great choice!
Not only does working as a marine scientist let you explore and discover the remarkable oceans that cover 71% of our planet, but you can also work toward protecting them in a rapidly changing world.
Before diving into an exciting career in marine biology, here’s everything you need to know to start your journey.
What is a marine biologist?
A marine biologist is a scientist who researches and studies marine animals and organisms in the world’s oceans, ranging from the tiniest plankton to great blue whales. The world of marine biology is vast, which is why, as in other scientific fields, marine biologists find areas of specialization. This could be anything from discovering new species of marine life to researching how manmade issues like climate change and pollution impact the world’s oceans.
Where do marine biologists work?
Apart from the obvious answer (in the ocean, of course!), marine biologists can find employment in a wide range of industries and at diverse employers like:
Academic and research institutes
- Government agencies
- Educational institutes (aquariums, universities, etc.)
- Nonprofits and charities
- Aquaculture farms and fisheries
- For-profit companies and organizations
- Pharmaceutical companies
Each of these industries offers different opportunities for marine biologists. Aspiring biologists hoping to help protect and save the planet’s oceans and marine organisms may go into the research or non-profit fields. Those curious about developing new treatments and drugs for ailments may work at a pharmaceutical company, researching how marine life can offer healing benefits to humans. Marine scientists at government agencies help protect marine wildlife and environments. There are tons of different ways to use a marine biology degree.
As for day-to-day routines, that varies a lot depending on the type of work you’re doing. But it typically involves a mix of being indoors and outdoors, from being out in the field for research to spending time in labs. Some marine biologists also get to travel the world for their work.
What skills do you need to become a marine biologist?
Being a marine biologist requires a mix of hard and soft skills, ranging from knowing how to effectively communicate to being able to properly collect data. Here are some of the skills you’ll need to work in the field of marine biology:
- Research skills
- Ability to properly conduct experiments, record scientific data, etc.
- Being good at observation and attention to detail
- Data analysis
- Scientific and technical skills
- Communication skills (written and spoken)
- Teamwork
- Flexibility
- Critical thinking
- Being well-organized
- Ability to work well with different types of technology (such as GIS)
If you’re hoping to spend a lot of time out in the field, you’ll also likely need to be physically fit with some experience in things like Scuba diving (dive certifications, etc.), Boating, seamanship and nautical science.
How to become a marine biologist
The path to becoming a marine biologist can start before you even go to college. While every person’s journey will look different, most marine biologists will have taken one or more of these steps toward achieving their dream.
1. Get involved locally
If you’re interested in working with the ocean, a good place to start is getting involved with local organizations. If you live near an ocean, joining or starting beach clean-up groups is a fantastic option. Even if you don’t live near an ocean, check if your local aquarium offers volunteer opportunities or youth programs. When you eventually start applying to colleges for marine biology degrees, having real-world experience demonstrates your passion and dedication to the field.
2. Take science and math classes in high school
Since marine biologists need to have a strong foundation in math and science, you’ll want to focus on those two fields in school. The more you can excel in these classes, the better. Try to get top grades and cultivate a good relationship with your teachers, as they can help guide you toward good programs and resources. They can also provide letters of recommendation when it’s time to apply for college.
In addition to your school’s standard math and science classes, you can also try to find additional courses to take online or at local community colleges.
3. Do a sailing program or internship
Along with volunteering and studying topics related to marine biology in high school, another great way to get real-world experience and skills for a marine biology career path is participating in a sailing program.
These programs, like Sea|mester’s educational expeditions at sea give you a solid basis for being a marine biologist. You learn nautical science, gain your diving certification, learn how to sail, and can even study marine species in their natural habitats. These programs are a great stepping stone before college, as the skills you learn will stand out on college applications and resumes.
Marine biologist education requirements
In order to become a marine biologist, you’ll need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field. But most jobs will also require a master’s degree. If you want to continue doing research or work at a university, you’ll need a doctoral degree as well.
Some of the various undergraduate and graduate degrees you can pursue for a marine biologist career include:
- Marine biology
- Environmental science
- Zoology
- Biology
- Ecology
- Marine science
- Marine conservation biology and management
From there, you can hone in on your area of specialization with your master’s and doctoral degrees. While getting your degrees, you can further boost your experience and resume by doing internships, attending conferences, and joining organizations related to your field.
FAQs about becoming a marine biologist
Learn more about what to expect working as a marine biologist here.
Is it hard to get a job as a marine biologist?
Many marine biologists say that it can be a hard field to break into due to the finite number of research positions, lack of funding, and other issues. Aspiring marine biologists are advised to be flexible and open to different kinds of work within the field. Honing your math and technical expertise is another benefit, as those are transferable skills that can fit a wide range of positions.
It’s also a good idea to get as much hands-on, real-world experience as possible to boost your resume and build your network. This is why taking part in a program like Sea|mester can help set you apart from the crowd in a competitive field like marine biology. Instead of just reading about marine biology in a classroom, you gain actual experience studying marine ecosystems and organisms with expert instructors and teachers. You’ll also encounter marine mammals in their natural habitats and have a chance to apply classroom learning in a real-life situation.
We asked Dr. Chantale Begin, PhD and Professor of Marine Biology Instruction at University of South Florida her view:
“My advice to aspiring young marine biologists is to get as much experience as you can in a variety of settings: take field courses, get internships, learn to scuba dive, learn strong boating skills, get lots of lab experience and strong computer skills. Trying a lot of different things helps you figure out specifically what you like in this broad field and helps you build valuable skills. Take every opportunity you get and make the most of it so you can build a strong resume and have great letters of recommendation! Don’t be shy—talk to your professors and supervisors to get advice and ideas, this networking can often make the difference of hearing about the next opportunity and be recommended for it. And don’t forget that marine biology is more than swimming with dolphins—take your science classes seriously and build strong academic credentials.”
How much do marine biologist jobs pay?
The pay range for being a marine biologist can vary widely depending on where you work and what you’re studying.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for marine biologists (who fall under the category of zoologists and wildlife biologists) in 2023 was $70,600 annually. However, Indeed.com shows an average base salary of $47,357 a year. Other sources cite salary ranges from $35k to $100k annually.
Where can I find more resources about becoming a marine biologist?
If you want to learn more about how to become a marine biologist, here are some other useful resources:
Pursue your dream of studying marine biology with Sea|mester
Want to see if a career in marine biology is right for you? Join one of Sea|mester’s educational sailing programs to start your journey.
About The Author – Mike Meighan
Experiential educator and adventurer, British-born Mike Meighan developed a love for the outdoor and underwater world at an early age. He sailed the Mediterranean before entering Southampton University in the UK where he earned a First Class Joint Honors degree in Oceanography and Marine Biology. In 1995, Mike joined the team as biologist, oceanographer and scuba instructor for ActionQuest, the teen sailing and scuba diving arm of Global Expeditions Group.
His passion for experiential education led to the development of our accredited college-level program Sea|mester in 1998 and GoBeyond in 2002. Mike sails with our largest programs in the BVI during the summer and, throughout the rest of the year, lives in Sarasota with his family Jo, Joshua and Kai, where he directs Sea|mester, ActionQuest and GoBeyond.
