Out in the marshes and swamps, you study and protect wetlands, the murky, undervalued ecosystems that filter our water and buffer the land. Where unglamorous ground does essential work.
The work blends field surveys, delineating wetland boundaries, assessing impacts, and writing reports for permits, restoration, or research. You split time between muddy fieldwork and the desk. The fieldwork is wet, buggy, and physical, and a boundary call can decide whether a project proceeds.
What's demanding is the politics and the regulation: wetlands sit where development, landowners, and environmental law collide. The field season can be grueling, the paperwork is heavy, and your findings can hold up someone's project. Settings span consulting, government, and research.
It fits someone outdoorsy, rigorous, and comfortable in the muck. If you want comfort or want to avoid conflict, the role can be tough. But if you care about overlooked ecosystems and don't mind the mud, and protecting ground that quietly keeps water clean, the work tends to be quietly meaningful.
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Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
Out in the marshes and swamps, you study and protect wetlands, the murky, undervalued ecosystems that filter our water and buffer the land. Where unglamorous ground does essential work.
Median pay for a Wetland Scientist is about $70K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $45K to $113K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Speaking, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, and Active Listening.
Most people in this role hold a bachelor's degree.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 2.5% through 2034, with roughly 42,510 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Dolphin Researcher, Senior Environmental Planner, and Aquatic Ecologist.
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