Oceanographers

While marine scientists are richly rewarded in nonmaterial ways for their diverse and exciting work with the sea, they almost never become wealthy by American standards. Salaries depend on education, experience, and chosen discipline. Supply and demand issues along with where you work also come into play. Some examples of jobs in the marine sciences that presently pay more than the average include physical oceanography, marine technology and engineering, and computer modeling.

According to PayScale Inc., in 2024 annual salaries for oceanographers ranged from a low of $49,000 to $162,000 or more, with an average of $81,000. In May 2023, the Department of Labor reported that salaries for geoscientists (which includes geologists, geophysicists, and oceanographers) ranged from less than $52,500 to more than $172,600, with a median of $92,580. Mean annual wages in the industries employing oceanographers vary widely according to the particular employment sector. Salaries for jobs involving oil and gas extraction were $156,580, while salaries for geoscientists working for state governments were $87,080.

In addition to their regular salaries, oceanographers may supplement their incomes with fees earned from consulting, lecturing, and publishing their findings. As highly trained scientists, oceanographers usually enjoy good benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans offered by their employers.