15 careers to make the ocean your office

Becoming an aquarist is an option for someone who is interested in caring for aquatic animals by doing hands-on tasks, including feeding and monitoring animals. Other tasks could involve record-keeping of feedings, care and admission or discharge of the animals, cleaning, and building exhibits. Aquarists can expect to earn between $7.50 and $10.96 an hour.

If you love being in the ocean and catching fish, a job as a commercial fisherman can satisfy both needs. Fishermen use nets, traps, and fishing rods to catch fish for humans to eat or to be used as bait. Most fishermen are self-employed and earn a median annual salary of $28,310. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for fisherman seems promising as the demand for seafood is projected to keep increasing.

Marine architects are intricately involved in designing and overseeing construction and repair of ocean vessels, including ships, submarines, floats, and buoys. Their job is quite varied and may involve everything from designing the layout of the craft interior to working with marine engineers on equipment and systems. Four or more years of education is required for this job, which pays an entry level salary of just over $56,000 to over $90,000 a year for experienced machine architects.

A marine chemist studies how the oceans were formed millions of years ago and looks at what determines their composition now. Their research may unearth natural products with medicinal properties or study how we can protect the ocean from pollution. Entry-level jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. Median pay is $71,130 per year.

Physical oceanographers dive deep into the ocean, studying the circulation of seawater along with the exchange of matter and energy across the ocean's surface. Examining coastal erosion and measuring deep currents are other tasks they may perform. The median annual salary for a physical oceanographer is $90,642.

Imagine making a living diving underwater and photographing the treasures at the bottom of the sea. Most underwater photographers obtain a photography degree, are SCUBA certified, and own special equipment. The freelance life of an underwater photographer's pay scale is as variable as the ocean's waves. In 2017, photographers made about $32,000 a year while commercial divers made about $56,000.

Did you know that Charles Darwin was a marine biology pioneer, and his underwater study shaped his theory of evolution? Marine biologists today work in academia, research, and the private sector studying specimens and data, assessing how their findings impact humans and sharing their knowledge as teachers. Jobs require a doctorate, so you must have a doctorate or be in the process of earning one. You will likely start out earning about $40,000 and make about $100,000 at the top end of the spectrum.

In the role of fish hatchery manager, you will be trapping and spawning fish, incubating eggs, and transferring mature fish to ponds, streams, and lakes. You can expect to get paid around $19.18 an hour to begin and earn a salary of over $71,000 a year at the top level. Helping provide refuge for endangered species could be a meaningful part of the job. 

Fish biologists study fish and their habitats. Much of their time is spent collecting data. Along with studying the fish population, they observe migration and the environment. Employers include government agencies, environmental advocacy organizations, and nonprofits. Entry-level positions require a bachelor's degree; a master's degree is required for higher-level investigative or scientific work. Median pay is $63,420 per year ($30.49 per hour).

Marine geologists study the history of the ocean floor. They are less involved in the study of rock composition and more involved in the results. For instance, a marine geologist may try to understand events like tsunamis and earthquakes. A Bachelor's of Science in marine geology or geological oceanography is the minimum required; however, a master's degree is necessary to play an active role in the research.

While the ocean attracts myriad scientists and engineers, it offers a treasure trove of inspiration for artists. Jewelers who reside near the ocean can spend endless hours combing the shores to discover sea glass to incorporate into necklaces, rings, and bracelets.

Marine engineers design equipment and machinery used in seafaring vessels. They mainly focus on the vessels' mechanical systems that propel and steer them. Other tasks include overseeing installation and testing and repairing the systems. You will need a bachelor's degree in marine engineering or marine systems engineering. The median annual wage for marine engineers was $92,560 in May 2018.

Do you love getting to the bottom of things? If so, then studying the history of how humans interacted with the world's oceans may be a great career for you. Along with exploring shipwrecks, you will take a close look at the unique culture at the bottom of the sea. Along with a master's or a doctorate degree in anthropology, you will need special equipment and diving certifications. Pay ranges around from $30,000 for lower-level technicians to $90,000 for higher-level jobs.

Aquatic veterinarians provide health care for various marine animals, including sea lions, dolphins, turtles, and lobsters. While some vets work in zoos or aquariums, if you love the sea, you could work taking care of sea animals on a ship. Aquatic veterinarians must obtain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited program.

Lights, underwater camera, action! If you think that becoming an underwater filmmaker is merely a fantasy, check out the career of Canadian filmmaker James Cameron. Along with an underwater certification, training in motion picture making, and a deep understanding of the undersea environment, you'll need a lot of passion and talent to dive as deep and make millions like Cameron.