Taking on a career in Fisheries is not for everyone, but those who want to be up close and personal with marine life find many of the careers below ideal.
Whether it is on the research side of things or taking the captain’s seat, there is a career for you.
1. Environmental Scientist
Why Become an Environmental Scientist?
If you are interested in being in the environment, studying the different components of environments across a region, then a career as an environmental scientist might be right for you.
Part of the position is to return to the lab and analyze these samples.
In order to get the entry position, you will need a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
If you would like to advance your career, a Master’s degree may also be something to consider.
The demand for this position is expected to grow substantially and the average starting salary begins around $77,000.
| Environmental Scientist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,240 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.06 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 15% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Environmental Scientist
2. Marine Biologist
Why Become a Marine Biologist?
If you enjoy being out on the water and learning about the biology of the species in the ocean, then a marine biologist career may be ideal.
You can take this career and use it to study sea creatures in their natural habitat.
This position is a bit more flexible, where you can be a marine biologist like an animal trainer or project leader.
You will need a minimum of a 4-year education, although most positions require more education at the graduate level.
The average salary for marine biologists falls close to $90,000 annually.
| Marine Biologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $90,010 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $43.27 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Marine Biologist
3. Biologist
Why Become a Biologist?
As a biologist, your focus is more on land environments, studying living organisms in a variety of different environments.
While you may study different environments, you will focus on one project at a time, spending days and hours observing and learning how certain organisms or animals live in their natural environment.
With an average salary of $89,000 annually, biologists will have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, and any graduate-level education to advance their career will be biologically based.
| Biologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $93,970 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $45.18 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 9% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Biologist
4. Crab Fisherman
Why Become a Crab Fisherman?
There is a career for those who are ready to take on the workforce and enter a fishery career as a crab fisherman.
You will need to spend some time on a boat getting the necessary training and experience since there are risks to this job.
Crab fishermen enjoy taking the risk and adventure that comes with this manual job, requiring them to take on open waters in the middle of storms.
The starting salary for a crab fisherman is around $30,000, but there is the potential to make more as you become more experienced.
| Crab Fisherman Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $34,730 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $16.70 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 2% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Crab Fisherman
5. Fish and Game Warden
Why Become a Fish and Game Warden?
For those who want a career outdoors but want to maintain a level of law enforcement, a career as a fish and game warden is a rewarding career.
These wardens average around $60,000 a year with many only having a two-year degree.
Having a background in law enforcement is also ideal, as this position has wardens ticketing offenders and making arrests when necessary.
| Fish and Game Warden Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $58,190 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $27.98 |
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Outlook | 4.3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Fish and Game Warden
6. Boat Mechanic
Why Become a Boat Mechanic?
If you like to work with your hands, specifically machines, but want a nice specialty, being a boat mechanic may be right for you.
During a certificate program, you will get this understanding and gain experience working on the different types of boats that are used for various purposes.
The average salary for a boat mechanic ranges around $45,000 annually.
| Boat Mechanic Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $46,660 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $22.43 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 1% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Boat Mechanic
7. Environmentalist
Why Become an Environmentalist?
If you want to take a different direction in working on the environment and put your energy towards preserving it, then you can make a career as an environmentalist.
The goal of this position is not only to study an organism but, see what makes it thrive so that you can protect it.
Keeping all species alive is central to this position, so you will also spend time educating others on what not to do so that you can protect the environment and species within.
This career does require at least a graduate-level program, with an average salary of around $80,000 annually.
| Environmentalist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,240 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.06 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 15% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Environmentalist
8. Ship Captain
Why Become a Ship Captain?
For those who live to be on the water and know it better than on land, having a career as a ship captain is ideal.
These individuals are experts in nautical direction, how to navigate the waters, and manage a variety of watercraft vessels.
Whether it is hauling passengers to destinations or freight, a ship captain is responsible for overseeing whether the ship makes it to and from its destination appropriately.
Most successful ship captains have a background in marine science with at least a 4-year degree.
This position’s salary averages around $81,000 annually and require a licensing requirement for the Coast Guard.
| Ship Captain Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $98,330 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $47.27 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 2% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Ship Captain
9. Zoologist
Why Become a Zoologist?
If you want a career where you can really focus on animals in the environment for the long term, then you should consider a career as a Zoologist.
You are not just watching these animals, but you develop relationships with them, learning about their habits and lifestyle.
There are some research components to this position, as well.
This career only requires a certificate or Associate degree.
You can expect to average around $70,000 annually in this career field.
| Zoologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $70,300 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.80 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Zoologist
