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Marine scientist salary
Average marine scientist salary
$76,640
Understanding Marine Scientist Salaries
The salary of a marine scientist can differ based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and the specific sector in which they work. On average, marine scientists in the United States earn around $76,640 per year, translating to approximately $37 per hour. States such as California and Florida often offer higher salaries due to their extensive coastlines and marine research opportunities.
As marine scientists gain more experience, their earning potential tends to increase. Entry-level positions may start around $50,000, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $100,000 annually. Additionally, marine scientists who specialize in certain fields, such as marine ecology or oceanography, may command higher salaries due to the demand for their expertise.
Job Opportunities
Job prospects for marine scientists are robust, with opportunities available in government agencies, research institutions, and private industry. Environmental consulting firms, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions frequently seek marine scientists to contribute to research projects, policy development, and conservation efforts. Those interested in this field are encouraged to pursue relevant educational paths, internships, and networking opportunities to enhance their career trajectories.
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Where can a Marine Scientist earn more?
Marine scientist salary estimates from across the web
Average marine scientist salary by state
The highest-paying states for marine scientists are Alaska, California, and West Virginia. The lowest average marine scientist salary states are Michigan, Kansas, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for marine scientists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $94,319 | $45.35 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $84,186 | $40.47 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $80,416 | $38.66 |
| 4 | Utah | $81,893 | $39.37 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $79,096 | $38.03 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $80,362 | $38.64 |
| 7 | Oregon | $83,329 | $40.06 |
| 8 | Ohio | $83,906 | $40.34 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $79,652 | $38.29 |
| 10 | California | $92,720 | $44.58 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $78,144 | $37.57 |
| 12 | Idaho | $78,570 | $37.77 |
| 13 | Montana | $76,744 | $36.90 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $73,540 | $35.36 |
| 15 | New York | $80,708 | $38.80 |
| 16 | Delaware | $76,056 | $36.57 |
| 17 | Virginia | $77,782 | $37.40 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| 19 | Washington | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| 20 | Nevada | $77,367 | $37.20 |
| 21 | Mississippi | $78,291 | $37.64 |
| 22 | Vermont | $74,590 | $35.86 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $73,476 | $35.33 |
| 24 | Maine | $71,694 | $34.47 |
| 25 | Maryland | $74,379 | $35.76 |
| 26 | Missouri | $74,506 | $35.82 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $69,727 | $33.52 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $75,879 | $36.48 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $73,897 | $35.53 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $74,629 | $35.88 |
| 31 | Indiana | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $61,323 | $29.48 |
| 33 | Texas | $70,723 | $34.00 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $60,438 | $29.06 |
| 35 | Arizona | $71,259 | $34.26 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $62,949 | $30.26 |
| 37 | Illinois | $66,521 | $31.98 |
| 38 | Colorado | $69,864 | $33.59 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | $73,655 | $35.41 |
| 40 | Minnesota | $65,499 | $31.49 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $58,356 | $28.06 |
| 42 | Iowa | $61,751 | $29.69 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $58,322 | $28.04 |
| 44 | Kansas | $57,429 | $27.61 |
| 45 | Alabama | $60,904 | $29.28 |
| 46 | Florida | $57,061 | $27.43 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $60,198 | $28.94 |
| 48 | Michigan | $58,230 | $28.00 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $48,676 | $23.40 |
| 50 | Georgia | $49,102 | $23.61 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $47,865 | $23.01 |
Highest paying cities for marine scientists
The highest-paying cities for marine scientists are San Jose, CA, Olympia, WA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $99,588 | $47.88 |
| 2 | Olympia, WA | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $80,909 | $38.90 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $79,688 | $38.31 |
| 5 | Columbia, MD | $74,334 | $35.74 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| 7 | Kailua, HI | $61,326 | $29.48 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $60,060 | $28.88 |
| 9 | Charleston, SC | $58,176 | $27.97 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $48,906 | $23.51 |
Marine scientist salary details
A marine scientist's salary ranges from $45,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $128,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a marine scientist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $10,667 | $62 |
| 75th Percentile | $100,000 | $8,333 | $48 |
| Average | $76,640 | $6,387 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 10th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
Highest paying marine scientist jobs
The highest paying types of marine scientists are senior scientist, scientist, and wildlife division manager.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Service Technician | $30,862 | $2,572 | $14.84 | 83,697 |
| Environmental Technician | $39,690 | $3,308 | $19.08 | 43,079 |
| Ecologist | $50,369 | $4,197 | $24.22 | 7,026 |
| Fish And Wildlife Biologist | $52,402 | $4,367 | $25.19 | 7,349 |
| Wildlife Biologist | $51,084 | $4,257 | $24.56 | 5,376 |
| Fisheries Biologist | $47,758 | $3,980 | $22.96 | 3,648 |
Top companies hiring marine scientists now:
Which companies pay marine scientists the most?
Marine scientist salaries at Center for Coastal Studies and General Dynamics are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average marine scientist salary at companies like San Jose State University and AECOM are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Center for Coastal Studies | $86,282 | $41.48 |
| 2 | General Dynamics | $81,791 | $39.32 |
| 3 | San Jose State University | $74,741 | $35.93 |
| 4 | AECOM | $71,084 | $34.17 |
| 5 | Versar | $59,855 | $28.78 |
| 6 | S.C. Department of Commerce | $43,432 | $20.88 |
| 7 | Maine | $42,816 | $20.58 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Marine scientist salary trends
The average marine scientist salary has risen by $10,315 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average marine scientist earned $66,325 annually, but today, they earn $76,640 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for marine scientists over the last decade.
Compare marine scientist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average marine scientist salary over time
Compare marine scientist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Marine scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $76,600 | $36.85 | +4.6% |
| 2024 | $73,100 | $35.14 | -0.2% |
| 2023 | $73,300 | $35.22 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $72,000 | $34.59 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $69,900 | $33.61 | +1.4% |
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