Marine Biologist salary: how much does a marine biologist make?
A marine biologist in the US earns a median of $76,780 a year, about $36.91 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,100 and the top 10% earn over $126,440. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, Maryland, has a median of $107,500.
Marine Biologist pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does a marine biologist make an hour?
The median marine biologist earns $36.91 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $23.61 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60.79 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Lower 25% | $61,180 | $29.41 |
| Median (typical) | $76,780 | $36.91 |
| Upper 25% | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Top 10% | $126,440 | $60.79 |
Marine Biologist salary by state
Median annual pay for marine biologists by state, from BLS May 2025 data. “Not published” means BLS did not release a figure for that state, usually because too few employers reported this job there.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $74,290 | $35.72 |
| Alaska | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| Arizona | $66,880 | $32.15 |
| Arkansas | Not published | – |
| California | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Colorado | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Connecticut | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Delaware | Not published | – |
| District of Columbia | $107,050 | $51.47 |
| Florida | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| Georgia | $66,210 | $31.83 |
| Hawaii | $84,910 | $40.82 |
| Idaho | $73,360 | $35.27 |
| Illinois | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Indiana | $54,670 | $26.28 |
| Iowa | $83,000 | $39.90 |
| Kansas | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Kentucky | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Louisiana | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| Maine | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| Maryland | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Massachusetts | $84,350 | $40.55 |
| Michigan | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Minnesota | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Mississippi | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| Missouri | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Montana | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Nebraska | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Nevada | $75,180 | $36.14 |
| New Hampshire | $73,560 | $35.37 |
| New Jersey | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| New Mexico | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| New York | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| North Carolina | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| North Dakota | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Ohio | $74,550 | $35.84 |
| Oklahoma | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Oregon | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Rhode Island | Not published | – |
| South Carolina | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| South Dakota | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Tennessee | $73,570 | $35.37 |
| Texas | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Utah | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Vermont | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Virginia | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| Washington | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| West Virginia | Not published | – |
| Wisconsin | $68,370 | $32.87 |
| Wyoming | $74,150 | $35.65 |
Highest-paying states for marine biologists
- Maryland: $107,500 median
- District of Columbia: $107,050 median
- California: $98,530 median
- Alaska: $90,370 median
- Mississippi: $88,710 median
The lowest published medians are in Texas ($49,100), Florida ($52,750), Indiana ($54,670), Nebraska ($57,890), Kentucky ($61,950). The most marine biologist jobs are in California (2,210 jobs), Washington (1,840 jobs), Florida (1,400 jobs), Oregon (1,010 jobs), Colorado (730 jobs).
How much does a marine biologist make a month?
At the median salary of $76,780, a marine biologist earns about $6,398 a month, $2,953 every two weeks or $1,477 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced marine biologist pay
New marine biologists typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,100 a year and the lowest 25% under $61,180. The top 25% earn over $96,100 and the top 10% over $126,440. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Marine Biologist salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Marine biologist | $76,780 |
| Forensic scientist | $72,060 |
Marine Biologist take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a marine biologist make?
The US median is $76,780 a year ($36.91 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does a marine biologist make an hour?
The median is about $36.91 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $23.61 and the top 10% about $60.79 an hour.
Which state pays marine biologists the most?
Maryland has the highest median at $107,500, followed by District of Columbia ($107,050) and California ($98,530).
How much does a marine biologist make a month?
At the US median of $76,780 a year, about $6,398 a month or $2,953 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level marine biologist make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,100 a year and the lowest 25% under $61,180, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of marine biologists make?
The top 10% earn over $126,440 a year; the top 25% earn over $96,100.
How much does a marine biologist make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $98,530 in California, $49,100 in Texas, $52,750 in Florida, $82,640 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 19-1023, “Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.