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Job outlook for research fisheries biologists in the United States
Are research fisheries biologist jobs in demand?
Research fisheries biologist job and salary trends over time
Research fisheries biologist jobs over time
Research fisheries biologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 218 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 206 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 203 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 203 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 194 | 0.00% |
Average research fisheries biologist salary over time
Research fisheries biologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $68,678 | $33.02 | +4.6% |
| 2024 | $65,674 | $31.57 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $63,999 | $30.77 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $61,862 | $29.74 | +4.3% |
| 2021 | $59,328 | $28.52 | --0.5% |
Research fisheries biologist jobs by state
Most common states for research fisheries biologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 87 | 14% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 643 | 12% |
| 3 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 490 | 12% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 165 | 12% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 639 | 11% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 213 | 11% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 119 | 11% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 102 | 11% |
| 9 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,000 | 10% |
| 10 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 844 | 9% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 736 | 9% |
| 12 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 533 | 9% |
| 13 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 185 | 9% |
| 14 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 116 | 9% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 97 | 9% |
| 16 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 77 | 9% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 53 | 9% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,006 | 8% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 274 | 8% |
| 20 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 259 | 8% |
Most common cities for research fisheries biologists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $85,910 |
Research Fisheries Biologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of research fisheries biologist experts
Pennsylvania State University - Berks
Lake Superior State University
Coastal Carolina University
University of Rhode Island
Stockton University
Macalester College
Cornell University
Norfolk State University
American University
Quinnipiac University
Maryville University
Paine College
William & Mary
Kansas State University
Brigham Young University-Idaho
St. Norbert College
Alison Hamilton
Assistant Teaching ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Research Fisheries Biologist?
Alison Hamilton: (As an aside----You do realize that you have asked this question of an academic biologist, right? Someone who spent way too much time in school earning way too many degrees and living on very little money until finally getting a “real” job after 16 years of post-graduate training and education……and still makes less than some of my students do when they graduate…..:) This is clearly something that I know NOTHING about😊)
Again, I think that having some experience will help. If you worked in the industry for 6 months while working on your degree you may be able to start at a higher salary than someone with no previous experience. The same may well be true for having in-demand coding or data analysis skills or even for experience with developing professional looking presentations, websites, or podcasts. Expertise and experience could result in a better offer and they will certainly increase interest in your resume.
What Research Fisheries Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alison Hamilton: The co-op advisers at UML work with lots of different employers in this area and they have told me that in addition to laboratory skills (which all of our biology majors have lots of exposure to) they are looking for students with strong written and oral communication skills. Other skills in demand are critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills. Given the innovations and new technologies in scientific fields, expertise in a particular technique or methodology may become less essential or be learned on the job, yet strong communication skills and expertise in data analysis will remain sought after by employers across the biological sciences.
Getting hands on experience and exposure to research is a great way to discover what you love, make your resume stand out and build professional relationships and networks that can help you secure a job when you graduate. I know that many of the students in Biological Sciences at UML who participated in a co-op with a local employer went on to work for that company after graduation.
What will help Research Fisheries Biologists increase their earning potential?
Alison Hamilton: Be sure to emphasize your strengths—even if they might not seem directly applicable to a position you are interested in. Your resume should include techniques, skills, and approaches with which you have experience, but think about other things you have accomplished, whether paid or volunteer. You don’t know when your language skills, fundraising experience, public speaking, partnership with a local community non-profit, or teenage years helping with the family fishing or farming business may matter. Biology is such a diverse discipline and new career pathways using the skills and education inherent in a biology degree are evolving all the time.
Maureen Dunbar PhD
Program Chair/Associate Professor of BiologyPennsylvania State University - Berks
Information Science/Studies
What will help Research Fisheries Biologists increase their earning potential?
Maureen Dunbar PhD: To maximize your starting salary, try to get as much lab experience as possible during your college years. Undergraduate research, internships, and co-op experiences are wonderful opportunities for students to gain lab experience. If that is not possible, be open to positions that will give you as much lab experience as possible even if you can't see yourself in that specific area long term.
What general advice would you give to a Research Fisheries Biologist?
Dr. Kevin Kapuscinski Ph.D.: Traditional fisheries skills such as setting and lifting nets, and collecting biological data from fish will continue to be important. Managing, analyzing, and interpreting data using spreadsheets and statistical software are also essential in fisheries. Other skills such as acoustic telemetry (deploying & maintaining receivers, implanting fish with transmitters), analyzing spatial data or other 'big data' sets, and laboratory skills (e.g., eDNA, water quality, emerging contaminants) are likely to increase in demand as technologies continue to develop.
What Research Fisheries Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kevin Kapuscinski Ph.D.: For fisheries technicians, salary potential can be maximized by obtaining special skills and certifications (e.g., geospatial data analysis, captain's license). For fisheries biologists and researchers, salary potential can be maximized by earning a graduate degree.
What general advice would you give to a Research Fisheries Biologist?
Jennifer Slate PhD: Because there are so many types of jobs in biology, there is a job to suit everyone! Jobs may be people-oriented, focus primarily on labwork, or even allow one to spend time outdoors. Many (but not all) jobs in biology require further education after finishing the bachelor’s degree. Biology graduates often go on to health professional programs, to obtain teaching certification, or to obtain a master’s or PhD degree.
What will help Research Fisheries Biologists increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Slate PhD: There are so many different types of jobs in biology, to suit people of different interests. Biologists work in health care, in research labs, in environmental protection, and in teaching- just to name a few fields. Responsibilities on a day-to-day basis will depend upon the particular job field. Common skills required on a daily basis include use of computer software, ability to make and record detailed observations, and teamwork/communication skills.
What general advice would you give to a Research Fisheries Biologist?
Danielle Silvia: There are many emerging trends and changes in the natural world making biology a fascinating career to embark on. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of biology is predicted to see a 5% increase in job growth through 2032, as biologists are in high demand across areas such as healthcare, environmental science, sustainability, biotechnology, and more. Due to pressing issues like climate change, the disappearance of species and nature, public health crises, drug development, and genetic engineering, becoming a biologist today will provide career advancement tomorrow. You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in important areas of society while pursuing an intellectually stimulating career for the long-term.
What Research Fisheries Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Danielle Silvia: A day in the life of a biologist typically involves researching various forms of life, such as bacteria, animals, plants, how they impact the world around them, and vice versa. Biologists may run experiments to work towards answering these questions, using some of the latest and greatest scientific tools and techniques in a laboratory setting. The job scope also includes collecting and reviewing data from research and experiments, and creating reports based on findings to solve important problems. Biologists work at all levels on organisms from the molecular to the whole organism to populations.
Derek Crane Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorCoastal Carolina University
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, And Population Biology
What will help Research Fisheries Biologists increase their earning potential?
Derek Crane Ph.D.: Some of our greatest challenges as a global society, such as food security under a changing climate, predicting, preventing, and handling of future pandemics, and rapid loss of biodiversity are based in biology. We need smart, energetic, and motivated people to address these issues.
What Research Fisheries Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brian Plouffe PhD: The biological sciences are an ever-evolving field, so graduates may be at the forefront of innovation in the fields of drug discovery and development, agriculture, and healthcare. With the new advances in genetic engineering and molecular biology, graduates will be involved in future advances that may change the work of medicine, food insecurity and sustainability, and climate control. The broad education of recent graduates will also give the foundation to find and keep a career in a wide variety of fields and industries.
What general advice would you give to a Research Fisheries Biologist?
Dr. Adam Aguiar Ph.D.: Biology offers a variety of career opportunities in labs, industry, journalism, environmental organizations, policy-making, teaching, etc. The field is essential for addressing societal challenges and is stable in society.
What Research Fisheries Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Adam Aguiar Ph.D.: Biologists enjoy different aspects such as fieldwork, lab work, data analysis, and communicating scientific concepts. Some find fulfillment in teaching and public seminars, while others may have preferences for specific tasks within the field.
What Research Fisheries Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elena Tonc: Stay curious and keep learning-the field is constantly evolving with new techniques and building on previous knowledge so it will be important to stay up-to-date. Also, more generally, there is always something new to learn in biology or explore a new subfield. Another thing to keep in mind is building relationships. Reach out to professionals who are on the career path you desire and schedule informational interviews as they are a fantastic way to gain insights, advice, and potentially even mentorship. Learning from others' experiences can help you navigate your career path more effectively and open up opportunities you might not have considered otherwise. The diversity of career trajectories in biology means there's no one-size-fits-all approach, so being proactive in seeking guidance and learning from others' journeys can be immensely valuable.
What will help Research Fisheries Biologists increase their earning potential?
Elena Tonc: Having a specialized skillset is one way to increase your compensation potential early in your career as those jobs are high in demand and companies might offer bigger salary incentives as a recruitment tool. Of course, negotiation is a big part too-don't be afraid to ask for higher compensation after researching salary ranges for similar positions in your location.
Professor Marvin Pritts
Professor of HorticultureCornell University
International Agriculture
What Research Fisheries Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Marvin Pritts: Some jobs are mostly lab-based while others are field-based. Still others involve education or data management so would occur mostly inside. I think the best type of job is one that involves all three components, and a career in plant science can allow for one to participate in all of these. Lab-based jobs typically involve some sort of research, genetic studies, propagation, or analyses of samples. Field-based jobs typically involve growing or propagating plants, data collection or scouting, pest management, plant breeding, or crop and natural area management. The number of careers that fall under the plant science category is very diverse so there is no typical day. Even within a particular career, what is done in a day varies greatly by season of the year.
What will help Research Fisheries Biologists increase their earning potential?
Kristen Willems PhD: Know your worth. How much are other companies and schools paying someone in this position? What are the different expectations and benefits in these positions as well. There are other things to consider when weight job offers than just salary.
Nazir Barekzi Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorNorfolk State University
Biology
What general advice would you give to a Research Fisheries Biologist?
Nazir Barekzi Ph.D.: In order to maximize the salary potential in the field of Biology, stay focused to the fundamental basics and use your skillset to problem solve obstacles and overcome them with confidence. You are no longer in the classroom, so it's time to show off all that you know. In addition, leverage your skills learned in hands-on labs to maximize your salary potential.
What will help Research Fisheries Biologists increase their earning potential?
Meg Bentley: Remember that you are "starting your career" - even the most brilliant and capable people have to start somewhere, so don't attach a starting salary to your self-worth and don't think that a high salary will make up for a miserable job experience. Ask upfront questions about how your employer sets your initial salary and then handles and manages promotions and raises. Remember, that benefits other than salary count toward your overall compensation package (health insurance, retirement, childcare), so include those as well and ask about benefits that are really important to you. Also, do your homework - don't ask for a $90K starting salary when the CEO makes $110K. Once you accept an offer, be willing to listen to feedback on your performance and address it as best you can. Finally - seek out employers/companies where you can have balance, be happy, and do something that you think is important while also identifying ways to grow professionally and increase your salary.
Craig Magie Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology Quinnipiac University Department of Biological SciencesQuinnipiac University
Biology
What general advice would you give to a Research Fisheries Biologist?
Craig Magie Ph.D.: Decide what sort of biology you enjoy the most, and pursue a career based on that. For example, some students enjoy laboratory science and would be a good fit for a job in the pharmaceutical industry. Others enjoy being outside in nature and would be better served by a career in the forest service or something similar. The more you enjoy what you do, the more motivated you will be to do it well. Make sure you have marketable skills employers are looking for and play up your critical thinking skills and adaptability. You may not be familiar with the specific technologies used in a particular job, but if you can demonstrate that you are a quick and eager learner you will be a more attractive candidate.
Stacy Donovan Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology and Forensic ScienceMaryville University
College of Arts and Sciences
What soft skills should all Research Fisheries Biologists possess?
Stacy Donovan Ph.D.: -Ability to work independently
-Ability to work collaboratively
-Ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders
-Ability to ask questions
What skills will help Research Fisheries Biologists earn the most?
Stacy Donovan Ph.D.: When examining job ads for an entry-level position, as I often see that pay is dependent upon experience. I encourage students to apply for internships to obtain skills outside of research and university laboratory courses. If an internship is not possible, then I encourage students to take as many courses with laboratories as they can to increase their skill level and marketability. Students should look for upper-level biology and chemistry laboratory courses that have tangible skills like biochemistry, quantitative analysis, molecular biology, microbiology, or instrumental analysis. Coding courses are also beneficial for students wanting to apply for jobs involving genomic analysis.
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiologyPaine College
Department Of Mathematics Sciences & Technology
What soft skills should all Research Fisheries Biologists possess?
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.: Flexibility, Communication, Leadership, Team work, thorough understanding of underlying concepts for biological principles, etc., are required for Biology students.
What skills will help Research Fisheries Biologists earn the most?
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.: Both Hard and Soft skills explained above would earn the most.
What type of skills will young Research Fisheries Biologists need?
S. Laurie Sanderson Ph.D.: Young graduates will benefit from problem-solving skills, interpersonal and teamwork skills, quantitative skills, and strong writing abilities.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Research Fisheries Biologists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Steven Christenson Ph.D.: I think one thing the pandemic has done has shed light on the need for rapid and accurate laboratory testing. It is not unlikely that COVID alone will increase demand for laboratory testing and thus require the hiring of more Medical Lab Scientists. This increase will likely be present across the country. So I think that everywhere will be a good place to find work opportunities. This field already enjoyed high worker demand and double-digit job growth outlook even before the pandemic. I suspect it will only be stronger now.
How do you envision technology impacting Research Fisheries Biologists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Steven Christenson Ph.D.: The increased development of automated testing will play a role in this field. Technology might not impact job availability as much as you might think, because the field is already highly automated and human personnel is still needed to run the various pieces of equipment. In fact, automation is generally a positive move because it removes some of the monotony and repetitive nature of the job.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Research Fisheries Biologists?
Adam Brandt Ph.D.: I think so, at the very least, graduates missed out on all of the classic senior year events. A lot of traditions are missed. Ultimately a very unceremonious end to all of their hard work. Then there is starting their job search when we're facing record levels of unemployment during a pandemic. Interviews will be relying on Zoom and Skype far more than they had in the past. Telecommuting is going to be more prominent. So in some ways, that may increase job prospects, but at the same time, it means more competition from candidates over a wider area if the job can be done remotely.
How do you envision technology impacting Research Fisheries Biologists in the next 5 years?
Adam Brandt Ph.D.: I think we're already seeing employers being more comfortable with remote work, and I think employees are going to start demanding that flexibility. The downside to that is a blending of home and work life that can be detrimental to mental health; that is, it'll be harder to disconnect. We already see that in people who answer emails while on vacation. You may find yourself on call for work 24-7, and that isn't good.