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Marine Biologist salary in Australia
The median full-time salary for a marine biologist is $80,300 per annum, before tax, up $16,900 since 2018.
Pay depends on the sector: universities and government agencies pay against enterprise agreements with set bands, while consultancies and not-for-profits vary more with the size of the organisation and the work on offer. Early careers are often built on short-term contracts tied to research grants, so annual earnings can move around between projects. Marine biology is a small field with few senior positions, and a doctorate plus a published research record is usually what separates applicants when those roles come up.
Roles that pay more than marine biologist
The largest typical pay rise is $21,300 a year, moving into Environmental Scientist.
- Environmental Scientist+$21,300/yr
- Ecologist+$21,300/yr
- Fisheries Scientist+$21,100/yr
How to negotiate a higher marine biologist salary
- Know the market rate before you ask. The median full-time marine biologist salary is $80,300; use that, not a guess, as your anchor, and adjust for your experience and employer.
- Lead with what's scarce, not just tenure. Skills like Field research and sampling and Laboratory analysis tend to command a premium over general marine biologist experience, name them specifically when you ask.
- Bring a real alternative to the table. Environmental Scientist pays a typical $21,300 a year more and draws on similar skills, even mentioning you're weighing it up is a legitimate data point in a pay conversation.
- Time it deliberately. Reviews, the end of a project you delivered, or taking on responsibility beyond your job description are stronger moments to ask than an arbitrary date on the calendar.
- Ask for a number, not a raise. "Based on the market rate and [specific contribution], I'd like to move to X" gets a clearer answer than "I think I deserve more."
Marine Biologist salary questions
How much do marine biologists earn in Australia?
The median full-time salary for a marine biologist is $80,300 a year before tax. Seniority, specialisation, sector and the award or agreement you're employed under all move it.
Is marine biologist pay rising or falling?
The median marine biologist salary is up $16,900 since 2018. Figures from 2025 onward on this page are a projection, not a measured result.
What pays more than marine biologist?
Environmental Scientist pays a typical $21,300 a year more and draws on similar skills to marine biologist.