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What is a life science taxonomist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Life Science Taxonomists are scientists who identify, classify and name the new plant and animal species that are found across the world. They are responsible for deciding how to classify species, exploring how they fit into their ecosystems, and categorize their relationships with other species.

They note highly detailed descriptions of species and select names for them. They also identify near-extinct species and may play a role in preserving diverse ecosystems. Life science taxonomists are typically employed by technology and health care industries. But you might also find a job at universities, government agencies, research companies, museums, zoos, environmental organizations, and consulting firms.

Although most life science taxonomists have a college degree, there's the possibility of becoming one with only a high school degree or GED. Experience from other jobs can also help in becoming better taxonomists. Besides naming and classifications, these scientists often discover new living things and share their findings in papers, research journal articles, and presentations.

ScoreLife Science TaxonomistUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,598

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
3.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.14%

Asian 27.95%

Black or African American 4.60%

Hispanic or Latino 7.38%

Unknown 3.55%

White 56.38%

Gender

female 48.39%

male 51.61%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Key steps to become a life science taxonomist

  1. Explore life science taxonomist education requirements

    Most common life science taxonomist degrees

    Bachelor's

    55.0 %

    Master's

    20.0 %

    High School Diploma

    15.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific life science taxonomist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    DNA100.00%
  3. Research life science taxonomist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the preparation of study data sets for delivery to client in ASCII, SAS, XLS formats.
    • Screen psychophysiological data for anomalies using Matlab.
    • Conduct stress and echo testing, and 12-lead ECG monitoring.
  4. Apply for life science taxonomist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a life science taxonomist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first life science taxonomist job

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Average life science taxonomist salary

The average life science taxonomist salary in the United States is $51,598 per year or $25 per hour. Life science taxonomist salaries range between $24,000 and $108,000 per year.

Average life science taxonomist salary
$51,598 Yearly
$24.81 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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