Marine Biologist
Studies marine organisms and ecosystems from microscopic plankton to whales, investigating how marine organisms interact with their environment and respond to human activities. Conducts research on marine biodiversity, conservation, fisheries management and the impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems.
- AI exposure
- 25 of 100, low exposure
- Hiring trend
- Rising
- Hiring rate
- 35%
The role
What the work is, what it pays, and what it costs you.
At a glance
- Remote friendly
- No
- Freelance potential
- Medium
- Time to senior
- 8 years
- Adaptation level
- Moderate
A day in the role
Conducts a coral reef survey using underwater transects, identifies species from video footage, analyses water quality data, and writes a conservation brief for a marine protected area.
What it pays
Kenyan market, per month- Entry
- KES 85,000-120,000
- Mid
- KES 160,000-260,000
- Senior
- KES 320,000-550,000
Exposure
How much of this a machine can already do, and how that was worked out.
Where this rating sits
1,516 rated careersRated above 18% of the 1,516 careers in the catalogue, which averages 43. Inside science the mean is 45, across 71 careers.
What the rating is made of
Share of recorded tasks- Machine does it
- 8%Software can already complete this work end to end.
- Machine assists
- 30%A person still decides, but the drafting is done for them.
- Person does it
- 62%Judgement, relationships and accountability that do not transfer.
Named task by task
Already automated
- Automated species identification from underwater imagery and video
- Analysing oceanographic and satellite data patterns
- Generating biodiversity report drafts and species distribution models
- Modelling climate impact on marine ecosystems
- Automating environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis pipelines
Still human
- Conducting field research: underwater surveys, scuba diving, sample collection
- Designing marine conservation programmes and marine protected areas
- Assessing fisheries sustainability and stock health
- Collaborating with coastal communities on sustainable practices
- Writing research publications and policy briefs
- Operating research vessels and specialised marine equipment
- Teaching and mentoring students
Getting in
The routes into the role and what each one asks for.
What to study
8 courses- Diploma in Dairy TechnologyKsh 64,120a year
- Craft Certificate in Food Processing and Preservation TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Analytical BiologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Analytical ChemistryKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Applied BiologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Food Science and TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Petroleum and GeoscienceKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Science Laboratory TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
How people get in
Marine biology or zoology degree
4 yearsHigh cost
BSc from UoN, KU or Egerton
Biology + marine specialisation
5-6 yearsHigh cost
BSc Biology plus MSc Marine Biology
Who hires
- KMFRI
- Kenya Wildlife Service (Marine)
- WIO-COMPAS
- CORDIO East Africa
- WIOMSA
Common misconceptions
Marine biology is just studying dolphins
It covers plankton, coral, fish, marine mammals, ecosystems and ocean chemistry — far beyond charismatic megafauna.
No career in Kenya
KMFRI, KWS, CORDIO and WIOMSA offer marine research careers. Blue economy development is expanding opportunities.
What happens next
How the role changes from here, and where it leads.
Supply and demand
- Demand
- 35
- Supply pressure
- 8
- Balance
- High demand
What to learn
- Underwater survey methods
- Marine data analysis
- Conservation programme design
Related careers
Kenyan market notes
Kenya has 540km of coastline with coral reefs, mangroves and fisheries. KMFRI is the main research institution. Marine conservation growing with MPAs and community-managed fishing areas. Blue economy strategy creates demand. Global average salary $71,313-$85,925/year (US). Entry-level $33,576-$60,234; senior $104,399-$114,770. CORDIO East Africa and WIOMSA are key regional organisations. Growing use of eDNA and AI for marine biodiversity monitoring.
Further reading
This role is rated 25 out of 100 today. Save it and the app keeps that number, then tells you by how much it has moved when the record is next reviewed.