With an increase in industrial expansion and the ballooning population, our natural environment for all flora and fauna diminishes fast. So considering how vital this natural habitat is for the natural order, proper means of conservation and care has become more paramount than ever. From this concern over our mother earth, a completely new career avenue comes out with a wildlife biology degree for biology majors.
However, as an avid wildlife biology degree holder, you can make a big difference. The field of wildlife sciences emphasizes preserving plants, tree life, and animal behavior. Plus, the study of wildlife biology also deals with managing the all-natural resource(s) and protecting all manner of endangered species who consider wildlife society their homes.
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What do you study in Wildlife Biology Degree?
To study in this field, you have to pass bachelor’s degree in zoology. Any Bachelor of Science degree/ or master degree holder specializing in wildlife conservation, animal behavior, wildlife populations, and wildlife management will study these following subjects.
They Include As Follows –
- Mammalogy
- Ecology
- Wildlife biology
- Forestry
- Classification of plant life
Wildlife biology majors employ scientific techniques to research wildlife. They normally watch animals from a close quarter in the wild and gather various sample and data for research projects. Afterward, they spend many hours reviewing the data, writing up results, or writing up the next grant to get funding.
Wildlife biologists work intense research on environmental science and try to find the answers to new questions.
Plus, the Bureau of Labor Statistics points out –
“Those candidates with a wildlife biology degree can opt for career choices in wildlife conservations in collaboration with govt/private consulting firms and even non-profit organizations.’
In short, there exists plenty of high-paying, growth-guarantee, and respectful wildlife biologist jobs for its respective candidates. Below you will learn all that you can do with a wildlife biology degree.
So, continue reading!
7 Career Prospects with a Wildlife Biology Degree That Pay Well
1. MARINE MAMMALOGIST OR MARINE BIOLOGIST
A Mammalogist or marine biologist’s role is to study and observe the behavior of all categories of mammals. This mainly includes the following.
– Understanding vivid aspects of all mammalian life forms
– Their evolution
– Their biological functioning
– Managing their habitat and their well-being
And so on…
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the salary of a marine Mammalogist is somewhat similar to that of zoologists and biologists. That means the pay-out will roughly be somewhere in-between $59,000 – $62,000.
Students with a wildlife biology degree who wish to opt for this role will find positions the following –
– Research fields
– Private sector establishments
– And, notable academic institutions
Besides, to be eligible for its respective fieldwork and other key responsibilities, candidates will need extensive training and advanced degrees.
2. GEOMORPHOLOGIST
Do you like studying and comprehending natural topography features and how it came to shape the whole world?
If so, then another prosperous and exciting career prospect is the role of a Geomorphologist.
That’s correct. This working field needs skillful and knowledge-full candidates who know how to process colossal impacts globally; the plate tectonics and planet surfaces both over and underwater.
There is a considerable demand for diligent Geomorphologists for being an adequate subset of geoscience. And in time, this will invariably increase. Plus, the BLS points out the estimated median annual salary for a Geomorphologist to be somewhere around $60 862 – $ 89,700.
So, for students with a wildlife biology degree, this is most certainly another prosperous employment option to go for.
3. PALEOZOOLOGIST
The main function of a Paleozoologist is to study the form, context, and procedures of faunal remains – be it their organic or fossil materials.
If it is not too bold, their role is quite similar to Paleobotanist- who studies the organic or fossil left-overs of animals.
This career prospect is not something many students opt for, due to its complex research work and other associative responsibilities. However, this is another of those highest paying careers for candidates with a Wildlife biology master’s degree.
According to the BLS, job opportunities do exist. And, with the tick-of-time, they are most likely to increase by 2025-2026.
Speaking of their median annual salary, a Paleozoologist earns in-between $44, 042 – $153,000. This differentiation depends on the candidates’ experience and the location chosen to work.
Generally speaking, the salary of a Paleozoologist increases the more one gathers field experience and becomes more proficient in their skill-set.
So, if you’re bold and have the stomach to be a full-time Paleozoologist, then this makes for another fab career prospect.
4. FISH AND GAME WARDEN
This special job role needs candidates to make sure all wildlife inhabitants are safe from human-harm. Their job responsibilities include arresting individuals who violate laws and continue to disrupt the peace of such wildlife habitats.
They also stop hunters who use weapons and refuse to comply with existing regulations. Besides, a fish and game warden also helps wildlife biologists with their on-going research assignments and data extraction. Plus, if the need arises, they also help investigate damages by wild animals.
The educational requirements entail procuring a two-year wildlife biology degree to enter this field. Plus, candidates will also require previous experience in law enforcement. Fortunately, they attain that through any local, state, or federal government agency.
Furthermore, the BLS, the approximate median annual salary for fish and game wardens, is between $55-830 –$63,390.
5. WILDLIFE FORENSIC SCIENTIST
In addition to these lucrative and exciting job prospects, candidates with their wildlife biology degree can also opt for a wildlife forensic scientist’s role. Their main job responsibilities involve collecting samples from wildlife species from the crime scene and even testifying in respective legal proceedings.
To become proficient wildlife forensic scientists, candidates will need a bachelor’s wildlife biology degree. Once done, those candidates will become eligible for the post and a median annual salary of $58,290 – as per the BLS.
6. ZOO DIRECTOR
Students with a wildlife biology degree can specialize in conservation biology and be eligible for a zoo director’s role. However, students will require an advanced degree in wildlife conservation. Plus, they will also need to possess other specialties like financial planning, extensive management of the facility, and sophisticated communication skills.
This job role involves looking after the zoo facility, monitoring and safeguarding the existing animals, and even supervising the staff members.
Respective students can find positions in aquariums, animal parks, zoos, marine facilities, and so on. What’s more, they can expect an appreciative median annual salary of $75,850.
7. ZOOLOGIST
A zoologist’s role is another lucrative, exciting, and high on-demand job role that students with a bachelor’s wildlife biology degree can go for. Typically, respective candidates can find respectful, full-time positions in aquariums, govt institutions, educational agencies, marine parks, and zoos.
Their key job roles include – researching, wildlife management, and academia. Plus, the BLS states the median annual salary of a zoologist to be around $39,150 – $55,490.
Surmising
As a wildlife biology student, you will find no shortages of online bachelor undergraduate degrees from lots of popular educational institutions. They offer comprehensive curriculums for in-depth learning along with genuine certificates after completion.
So, it is pretty safe to say that having a wildlife biology degree does prove rather beneficial. It opens the doors to many prosperous career choices, promising handsome pays, and adequate growth opportunities.