- Salary statistics
- Marine biologist salary
Marine biologist salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
39 600 - 43 700 SEK / month
Women earn 97% of what men do.
Naturvetenskapligt arbete
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Salary progression Marine biologist
What does a marine biologist do? – Tasks and work environment
A marine biologist studies life in the ocean and other marine environments. Their tasks often include research on marine ecosystems, water sample analysis, species mapping, and fieldwork at sea. Many marine biologists also work with environmental monitoring, advising the fishing industry, or within education and information dissemination. The work environment varies between laboratories, offices, and fieldwork at sea, requiring flexibility and good physical endurance. Collaboration with both Swedish and international research groups is common.
Salary development over time
The salary for marine biologists has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 37,500 SEK per month, increasing to 39 200 SEK in 2023. The latest salary data for 2024 shows an average salary of 42 600 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 4.5% over two years. This trend reflects an increased demand for specialist skills in environmental and climate work, but also increased competition for research funding and project positions. However, salary growth remains relatively modest compared to some other academic professions, possibly due to many positions being funded by temporary projects and public funds.
Marine Biologist salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 42 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 38,100 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 43,800 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 236 SEK
- Women: 42 000 SEK/month
- Men: 43 200 SEK/month
- Women earn: 97% of what men do
- Regional differences: No reliable data available
Education and qualifications
To work as a marine biologist, a university degree in biology with a focus on marine sciences is usually required. Many have a master's degree, and for research positions or higher roles, a doctoral degree is often necessary. Practical experience from fieldwork and laboratory studies is also highly meritorious. Depending on specialization, various certifications or advanced courses may be required.
- Bachelor's degree in biology/marine biology: 3 years
- Master's degree in marine biology: 2 years after bachelor's
- Doctoral studies: 4 years (for research positions)
- Fieldwork and laboratory experience: Often required for employment
- Courses in GIS, statistics, or advanced diving: Meritorious
Many marine biologists combine their scientific expertise with advanced diving certificates to perform field studies directly underwater. This opens doors to unique research missions and adventures in the world's most remote marine environments.
Common benefits and compensations
Marine biologists are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, paid vacations, and flexible working hours. Some employers also provide support for further education, research trips, or conferences. When working within universities or public institutions, collective agreement pensions and insurances are typically included.
Competition and challenges
The competition for permanent positions as a marine biologist is significant, especially in academia and research where many positions are project-based. A strong academic record and practical experience are usually required to stand out in applications. Funding for research projects can be uncertain and dependent on external grants. Additionally, the job market is sensitive to societal interest in environmental issues and the availability of public funds. Despite this, there is steady demand for marine biological expertise in environmental monitoring, government agencies, and consulting sectors.
Tips for aspiring marine biologists
To succeed as a marine biologist, it is good to combine scientific curiosity with perseverance and attention to detail. Seeking summer jobs or internships within marine projects during studies provides valuable experience and contacts. An analytical mind helps interpret complex data from field and laboratory work, while good teamwork skills are important in interdisciplinary research teams. Engagement with environmental issues and flexibility facilitate both daily work and adaptation to different research environments. Building networks early and staying updated on new techniques and methods is also wise. Last but not least, patience is an advantage, as many projects require long-term work before results are visible.
Key facts about Marine Biologists
- Education level: Master's degree or doctoral studies most common
- Work environment: Laboratory, fieldwork, and office
- Work form: Usually project- or research-based
- Number of job openings: 143 within the profession (May 2024)
- Gender distribution: Women earn 97% of men's salary
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a marine biologist can advance to project leader, research assistant, or specialist in environmental monitoring. Some pursue doctoral studies or postdoctoral positions to deepen their expertise in a specific area. Others choose to work within government agencies, consulting firms, or international organizations. According to the Employment Service's forecast, no specific assessment is made for marine biologists due to limited data, but there remains a continued demand for experts in climate and marine environmental issues. In spring 2024, a total of 143 job openings within the profession indicate some mobility and opportunities for qualified applicants.
Frequently asked questions about Marine Biologists
- What is the average salary of a Marine Biologist?
- The average salary is 42 600 SEK per month. - What education is required to become a Marine Biologist?
- A master's degree in marine biology or biology is most common, sometimes a doctoral degree is also required. - Are there gender differences in salary?
- Yes, women earn on average 97% of what men do within the profession. - What does the job market look like?
- There is competition for permanent positions, but 143 job openings are available within the profession in spring 2024. - What are common work environments?
- Marine biologists work in laboratories, offices, and fieldwork at sea. - What is the highest salary for a Marine Biologist?
- The highest salary is 43,800 SEK per month, for a man with a doctoral degree. - What personal qualities are important?
- Curiosity, perseverance, and attention to detail are particularly valuable qualities.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 37000 kr | 37400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 42200 kr | 42300 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45000 kr | 45200 kr | |
| 55-64 | 46000 kr | 46600 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 42300 kr | 42600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40300 kr | 40500 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42000 kr | 42100 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42900 kr | 42900 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 44100 kr | 44200 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40300 kr | 40500 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42000 kr | 42100 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42900 kr | 42900 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 44100 kr | 44200 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 43200 kr | 43600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 43200 kr | 43600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 97% | 42900 kr | 43200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40600 kr | 40800 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 41800 kr | 41900 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42100 kr | 42200 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 45700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40600 kr | 40800 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 41800 kr | 41900 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42100 kr | 42200 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 45700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 40700 kr | 40800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45500 kr | 45800 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 41800 kr | 42000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40100 kr | 40300 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42200 kr | 42300 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 43700 kr | 43700 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 40900 kr | 40900 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41100 kr | 41200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40100 kr | 40300 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42200 kr | 42300 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 43700 kr | 43700 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 40900 kr | 40900 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41100 kr | 41200 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Marine biologist has the SSYK code 2132, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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