How Much Does a Marine Biologist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$76,780
Marine biologists in the U.S. earn a median of $76,780 a year, or $36.91 an hour. Half of marine biologists earn more than $76,780 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $126,440.
Pay percentiles for marine biologists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23.61 | $49,100 |
| 25th | $29.41 | $61,180 |
| 50th (median) | $36.91 | $76,780 |
| 75th | $46.20 | $96,100 |
| 90th | $60.79 | $126,440 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for marine biologists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $107,500 | $51.68 | +40% |
| District of Columbia | $107,050 | $51.46 | +39% |
| California | $98,530 | $47.37 | +28% |
| Alaska | $90,370 | $43.45 | +18% |
| Mississippi | $88,710 | $42.65 | +16% |
| Louisiana | $87,460 | $42.05 | +14% |
| Oregon | $85,150 | $40.94 | +11% |
| Hawaii | $84,910 | $40.82 | +11% |
| Massachusetts | $84,350 | $40.55 | +10% |
| Washington | $83,780 | $40.28 | +9% |
| United States | $76,780 | $36.91 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many marine biologists are there?
BLS counts about 18,120 marine biologists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists”. The most jobs are in California (2,210), Washington (1,840) and Florida (1,400).
The mean (average) annual wage is $83,020, higher than the median of $76,780.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,398
- Biweekly
- $2,953
- Weekly
- $1,477
- Daily (8 hours)
- $295
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do marine biologists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for marine biologists is $36.91. The middle 50% earn between $29.41 and $46.20 an hour.
Which state pays marine biologists the most?
Maryland has the highest median wage for marine biologists at $107,500, +40% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for marine biologists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of marine biologists earn less than $49,100 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.