Ornithologist Salary

Ornithologists work as ecologist, geneticist, teachers, etc. and the employers can range from governments to zoos. The ornithologist's salary is dependent on the nature of work and the size of the organization they work for and also on the job location. The profession of an ornithologist can be very exciting especially for those who love birds. Ornithology is a branch of zoology that deals with the study of different types of birds, their environment and behavior pattern. The job description of an ornithologist is not limited to field work, they are also required to do laboratory work to study samples of blood and feathers.

Educational Qualification

Ornithology is a part of zoology so if you are interested in taking up this profession make sure you take science subjects in your degree program. Taking subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Maths, etc. during your degree program will be an asset. To become successful as an ornithologist you should at least have a bachelor's degree. The salary of ornithologist also depends on the educational qualification and candidates with better educational qualification are preferred over their less qualified counterparts. Many organizations prefer people who have a master's degree to their name in related subjects. Students who have a master's degree in Ecology, Biology, Zoology, etc. have a better chance of employment. In addition to the educational qualification, you should have a genuine love for birds to excel in this profession. Personal qualities like patience and keen observation skills act as bonuses.

Job Description

If you are wondering what is an ornithologist, well an ornithologist studies birds and things related to their environment, genetics, evolution, etc. The job description of an ornithologist can vary from field work to laboratory research and the salary of ornithologist also depends on this. Ornithologist working on conservation and behavior of bird species are required to study the living habits and habitat of particular birds in their natural environment. They will also have to do laboratory work by testing blood samples of birds and studying their genetics. Ornithologist will also study the feathers of the birds under laboratory conditions to check for things like hydrogen isotopes to study migratory patterns. Field work mostly comprises identifying the eating, nesting and mating habits of birds and studying their living environment.

Average Salary

The salary of ornithologist can vary greatly so much so that it can range between USD 45,000 to USD 150,000 annually. Like most other professions the salary of an ornithologist also fluctuates according to the geographical location of the job. Ornithology salaries in New York can go as high as USD 101,000 for certain work profiles. Salary ranges for jobs greatly depend on the geographical location, for the state of California, the average salary is around USD 89,000 annually.

In some cases, the job profile requires the candidates to stay for a few weeks in remote locations in wildlife parks to conduct surveys according to standardized protocols and during that period, the salary can fluctuate between USD 44,000 to USD 54,000 annually. Statistics have indicated that the average hourly wage that some ornithologist earn working as biological science technicians is between USD 15 and USD 19.

People who love the outdoors and animals flourish in this profession and go on to earn top dollars working with national parks and organizations working for environment causes. The salaries given to ornithologist by such organizations depend on the experience of the candidate, with experienced candidates getting an average annual salary ranging between USD 65,000 to USD 75,000.

The salary is quite enviable considering that most people who get into this profession love spending time outdoors or studying samples taken from birds in the lab. With the recent awareness amongst government and private organization to protect the environment, the job outlook for this profession is very bright for the coming years.