Ecologist
Studies how plants, animals and their surroundings affect each other, and uses that knowledge to protect habitats and guide land use.
Ecologists work for consultancies, conservation charities, councils, government agencies and universities, splitting their time between fieldwork and the office. It suits someone who is happy outdoors in any weather and equally happy sorting data and writing reports.
Also called Ecological consultant, Field ecologist or Conservation biologist.
At a glance
- Way in
- Bachelor's degree, often in ecology, environmental science, zoology, conservation biology and plant biology
- Pay in the US
- $82,220 a year, the medianFor environmental scientists and specialists, including health, 2025
- Pay in the UK
- £24,000 starting to £50,000 with experience
- US outlook
- Faster than average, 2025-2035
- Suits you if
- You like fieldwork, naming species and turning what you observe into practical advice.
Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.
The work
What does an ecologist do?
- Survey sites to record which plants and animals live there
- Analyse field data on species, habitats and environmental conditions
- Assess how building, farming or drainage plans could affect wildlife
- Plan and manage habitat restoration and conservation projects
- Advise landowners and councils on wildlife law and run community events
Where they work
- Ecological consultancies
- Conservation charities
- Local councils
- Government environment agencies
- Universities
Skills
The skills an ecologist needs
- Species identificationplants, birds, mammals or insects
- Survey methodsquadrats, transects, trapping and recording
- Data analysisstatistics, mapping and GIS software
- Report writingclear, accurate survey and impact reports
- Wildlife lawhow protected species and habitats must be handled
- Persistencelong field days and short seasonal survey windows
Route in
How to become an ecologist
- Study biology or geography at A level, or equivalent, then a degree in ecology or a related science
- Volunteer with wildlife and conservation groups to learn how to identify species
- Build field experience, often through seasonal survey assistant jobs
- Consider a master's in ecology or conservation for consultancy or research posts
Degrees people take
- Ecology
- Environmental science
- Zoology
- Conservation biology
- Plant biology
In the UK, the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management sets professional standards, and surveys of some protected species need a licence.
Practise for it
The quizzes and tools that fit
- Ecology quizzes
- Climate Change15 questions
- Biomes15 questions
- Biodiversity15 questions
- Entomology quizzes
- Insects as Vectors15 questions
- Major Insect Orders15 questions
- Social Insects15 questions
Also on biofideX
Next to it
Careers to weigh against it
Environment
Environmental Scientist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $82,220
- UK
- £25,000–£50,000
Environment
Conservation Officer
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $73,010
- UK
- £22,000–£34,000
Environment
Zoologist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $76,780
- UK
- £23,000–£48,000
Environment
Marine Biologist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $76,780
Environment
Plant Scientist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $78,850
- UK
- £27,000–£60,000
Sources
Where the facts come from
Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.
- O*NET OnLine: Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (19-2041.00)(CC BY 4.0)
- National Careers Service: Ecologist(Open Government Licence v3.0)
Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.
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