Where do oceanographers work?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

Oceanographers work for government agencies, private firms, museums, and at academic institutions. Nearly 50% of oceanographers work for federal or state governments, while close to 40% work for universities. The rest typically work for museums and private companies, some of whom uncover sunken artifacts.

Government agencies, among which the largest employer is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hire oceanographers for research and development.

Other major government-sponsored employers for oceanographers include National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Oceanographers employed as scientists in government or industry jobs focus on developing technology to responsibly harvest food, drinking water, and energy from the ocean.

Other marine biologists enjoy working as naturalists in zoos, marinas, and aquariums, where they care for marine animals and educate the public about ocean life and habitats. Additional opportunities include jobs with fisheries.

Some oceanographers work for private businesses or nonprofit organizations. Private firms hire oceanographers to search for valuable sea-floor deposits, investigate areas for sea farming, and evaluate natural energy production from waves, currents, and tides. Oceanographers in academic institutions usually work in colleges, universities, and museums.

There is always a high demand for professors and teachers with expertise and academic degrees in a recognized field of scientific study like oceanography. Teaching at a university also allows oceanographers the ability to conduct research. Through research grants, you can go out in the field and collect data with graduate and undergraduate research assistants.