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Oceanographer : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
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Case studies

  • Range of typical starting salaries for graduates or those with an MSc: £17,000 to £19,000 (salary data collected Dec 09).
  • Range of typical starting salaries for PhD holders: £23,000 to £29,000 (salary data collected Dec 09).
  • Range of typical salaries for lecturers: £27,000 to £56,000, depending on experience (salary data collected Dec 09).
  • Salary scales are based on government research and university rates and may vary according to qualifications and experience.
  • Oceanographers working in private industry may be on a similar or slightly higher scale.
  • Consultancy pay is usually higher still. Most consultants have a number of years' experience behind them, so their starting salary can be up to £35,000. Senior consultants can earn £50,000 to £70,000 (salary data collected Dec 09).
  • Extra hours may be required to meet project deadlines, although weekend or shift work is rare on land. EU regulations also apply on ships, but hours at sea are less regular. Industry and government-based roles provide a sea allowance to compensate for this work.
  • In this field, you can expect to have long stretches away at sea (usually a month to six weeks) sometimes in cramped accommodation with arduous weather conditions. However, most oceanographers view time at sea as an essential but rewarding part of the work.
  • Most contracts are fixed term in nature, even for those with strong academic qualifications and experience. In academia, as well as in industry, many oceanographers are employed on a rolling contract basis, which is dependent on grant or contract funding availability.
  • In government departments and agencies, jobs are more likely to be established (permanent) posts.
  • The proportion of men and women at initial recruitment is largely equal, but there are still comparatively few women in senior posts. The UKRC  and Women into Science, Engineering and Construction (WISE) both encourage and support women in science careers.
  • Jobs are restricted to a few specialist organisations and particular locations. An increase in national and international collaborations has increased overseas employment for those qualified at PhD level.
  • Adjusting to periods away at sea and working long hours may be stressful. Some project and contract deadlines are tight. The demand for rapid solutions to practical questions may bring added pressures.
  • The work may involve travel within a working day, absence from home at night or overseas travel, depending on the role.
 
AGCAS
Written by Susanne Christian, AGCAS
Date: 
December 2009
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