11 Paleontologist Jobs to Explore (With Responsibilities)

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Updated June 9, 2025

Paleontology is the scientific study of the geologic past including fossils and the biology of ancient life such as its structures and relationships with the environment. The field relates to geology and the study of the general time scale of rock successions and fossils that can provide key evidence for identifying sedimentary rocks in layers. Understanding different careers relating to paleontology assists in choosing a closely related discipline. In this article, we define paleontology and review a list of 11 paleontologist jobs with a brief description and average salary to help those exploring available opportunities.

What are paleontologist jobs?

Paleontologist jobs are career opportunities in several fields related to the study of plant and animal fossils. As a discipline, paleontology involves the study of biology, geology, ecology, anthropology, archaeology, and computer science to understand the origins and causes of the elimination of organisms. It includes subdisciplines like micropaleontology, the study of microscopic fossils, paleobotany, the analysis of fossil plants such as algae, and ichnology, the examination of fossil tracks and footprints.Related: 22 In-Demand Careers in Science

11 paleontology jobs

Below are common jobs in this field to consider:

1. Science writer

Find science writer jobsNational average salary: $55,741 per yearPrimary duties: A science writer, or science journalist, writes articles about events, data, and scientific breakthroughs for submission to social media channels, websites, magazines, academic journals, and other publications. Writers have a strong science background that allows them to translate complex technical information for a variety of audiences. Those in this role frequently use their science background to interview scientists and clinical professionals to gather information for articles, website content, or blog posts.Writers also attend academic and media conferences to understand or promote scientific information, visit research institutes and postsecondary institutions, and research specialist sources such as scientific papers. These professionals attend meetings or participate in conference calls with other writers, editors, scientists, and clients.Related: What Is Scientific Writing? (Examples and Tips for Writing)

2. Park ranger

Find park ranger jobsNational average salary: $58,912 per year Primary duties: Park rangers protect parks' resources, wildlife, ecosystems, and visitors. Paleontologists use their love of the environment and natural resources to interpret points of interest, enforce regulations, and offer visitors tours or educational programs. Park rangers work for trail systems, national historic sites and monuments, coastline sites, and grounds of significant buildings.Qualifications for a park ranger sometimes include an undergraduate degree in a science field, strong communications skills, an understanding of resource management, attention to safety details, and enforcement capabilities. They also use their training to manage facilities, demonstrate leadership with park staff, and build teams. Some rangers hold certification in first aid and public safety.Related: How to Become a Park Ranger (Plus Duties and Skills)

3. Archaeologist

Find archaeologist jobsNational average salary: $71,274 per yearPrimary duties: Archaeologists gather data from any period using different methodologies from paleontology, history, geology, and botany. Their first task is archival research to find written records, including historical documents, records, or photographs from libraries, historical societies, or people's homes. Archaeologists sometimes also review site reports from other archaeologists.Archaeologists use a trowel to scrape away soil layers from test units or holes in the ground and other equipment to excavate, sift, measure, and analyze what they find. Their excavation techniques follow a research design for guiding fieldwork and confirming permission from regulators, owners, and governments to do the work. Their science training allows them to take artifacts back to their laboratory for analysis as part of the process of answering their research questions.

4. Curator

Find curator jobsNational average salary: $70,928 per yearPrimary duties: Curators take care of collections for galleries, public spaces, museums, and any sites where materials are on display or in storage. Curation in a science museum or for a science exhibition sometimes involves researching works of art or specimens to interpret them for students or the public. For example, a curator of a science centre leads the development of environmental science and living collections for exhibits and public programs.Related: How to Become a Museum Curator (With Duties and Skills)

5. Science teacher

Find science teacher jobsNational average salary: $55,484 per yearPrimary duties: A love of science may translate to teaching the subject in a high school or elementary. This job allows scientists to use their natural ability to connect with young people while engaging them in science-relevant subjects and following the curriculum through lectures, discussions, and field studies. Science teachers assign homework, prepare and administer tests, and participate in staff meetings and professional development opportunities to stay current on scientific matters.Related: How to Become an Elementary Teacher (Step-By-Step Guide)

6. Biologist

Find biologist jobsNational average salary: $68,098 per yearPrimary duties: Paleontologists use their science training as a biologist studying living organisms and their relationship with the existing ecosystem. Biologists research and validate theories and often work in the field to collect biological specimens. They work for government departments and agencies, postsecondary institutions, research institutes, and industrial companies to make recommendations for preserving ecosystems and habitats.Paleontologists sometimes also apply their scientific background to work with the public, agencies, and regulatory bodies to encourage good environmental management strategies using biological data. Using and programming computers to store, process, and analyze data allows biologists to plan and manage research programs. These professionals study plants and animals and the environment's effects on them from pollutants or other toxins.

7. Research scientist

Find research scientist jobsNational average salary: $74,965 per yearPrimary duties: Research scientists work in each area of science to plan and implement investigations and experiments involving medical treatments and diseases, astronomy, pharmacology, geoscience, and more. Many research scientists specialize in a topic such as cell biology, earth science, or zoology. They mainly work in laboratories.These scientists may be responsible for recording and analyzing data, carrying out fieldwork by collecting samples, or presenting their results to other researchers or colleagues. Research scientists sometimes demonstrate scientific procedures, supervise junior employees or laboratory technicians, or organize products for materials testing. A science background allows researchers to ensure quality standards, communicate effectively with other scientists, develop solutions, and remain current with technical and scientific developments in their specialist field.Related: Understanding a Career as a Scientist

8. Research specialist

Find research specialist jobsNational average salary: $67,008 per yearPrimary duties: Research specialists work across most scientific fields to prepare findings and help with laboratory analysis, quality control, and data management. These professionals use their science backgrounds to commission research studies by working with research partners and defining the requirements of a project. They also summarize academic knowledge into key ideas, assisting in the translation process between research and technical requirements.A research specialist may write content to disseminate findings and attend conferences to present new developments. They serve on technical committees relating to research specializations, support academic research, and respond to requests from the academic community. Some specialists participate in complex software or application projects according to their research focus.Related: Associate Professor vs. Professor: Hiring and Promotion

9. Environmental manager

Find environmental manager jobsNational average salary: $80,743 per yearPrimary duties: Environmental managers work across all sectors to lead projects that reduce environmental impacts and ensure regulatory compliance. Using their science background, these professionals develop awareness programs and focus on sustainable development and public consultation. Managers monitor for pollutants and create procedures to prevent or remediate environmental issues.Environmental managers work on creating policies to meet environmental goals. They test operations to determine how to eliminate the effects of an industrial or commercial operation. They also monitor energy standards and waste control, conduct research, communicate with clients and investors, and develop funding proposals.Related: A List of Jobs with the Environment

10. Geologist

Find geologist jobsNational average salary: $89,196 per yearPrimary duties: Geologists study rocks from the Earth's surface and below to find minerals and hydrocarbons such as oil and gas. They determine engineering foundations and stable grounding for equipment and structures such as roads and bridges and find groundwater. Geologists conduct studies that locate rocks containing important metals such as gold and silver and plan mines to extract metals from rocks.Geologists work to understand natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes to determine where to build structures. They sometimes use their findings to prepare maps of areas prone to flooding to guide new housing developments or assess the appropriate amount of flood insurance. For example, a geological survey includes a historical record of geological disasters using several information sources, and this information informs recommendations for developments.Related: What Does a Geologist Do? (With Skills and Definition)

11. Science professor

Find science professor jobsNational average salary: $103,655 per yearPrimary duties: A science professor uses their training and education at a university, college, or research institute. They conduct original research and publish their findings in academic scientific journals. They teach undergraduates, mentor and guide masters and doctoral academics, and disseminate their research findings and expert opinions on scientific matters.Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries‌ ‌may‌ ‌‌vary‌‌ ‌depending‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌hiring‌ ‌organization‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌candidate's‌ ‌experience,‌ ‌academic‌ background‌, ‌and‌ ‌location.‌

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