How much does a Marine biologist make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Marine biologist
Image that illustrates Marine biologist

Marine biologist

39 200 kr

Plant and animal biologists

38 100 - 43 800 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Marine biologist

Average salary 39 200 kr
Males 39 900 kr
Females 38 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 2 Vacant jobs ->

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 37 800 SEK in 2023. The latest salary data for 2024 shows an average salary of 39 200 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: 39 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 38,100 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 43,800 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 236 SEK
  • Women: 38 400 SEK/month
  • Men: 39 900 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 96% 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.

– statsskuld.se

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 96% 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 39 200 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 96% 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.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 19:10:04

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Marine biologist is 43800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 42800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Marine biologist is 38100 kr. Both men and women in this profession have the same lowest salary and work in the Privately employed workers.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 35100 kr 35400 kr
35-44 38600 kr 38900 kr
45-54 42100 kr 42300 kr
55-64 43700 kr 44000 kr
Snitt 96% 38900 kr 39200 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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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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