Marine Biologist

Stable

Science & Research

Studies sea life such as coral reefs, fish stocks, turtles and mangroves, working for the Department of Fisheries, marine parks, research institutes, universities, environmental consultancies and conservation NGOs. Most enter with a degree in Marine Biology or Marine Science from UMT or UMS.

ScienceAgriculture

In Malaysia

How people get into it here: SPM (Biology, Chemistry, Maths) → Matrikulasi, Asasi Sains, STPM or Diploma → BSc Marine Biology or Marine Science (e.g. UMT, UMS) → apply on SPA for Pegawai Perikanan G9 (Department of Fisheries, marine parks) or join a research institute, consultancy or NGO; a Master's or PhD is usually needed for research-scientist and lecturer posts. With a fisheries diploma you can enter lower as Penolong Pegawai Perikanan G5.

Sources:spa.gov.my umt.edu.my

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

ChemistryUnderstand reactions, materials and lab work.

BiologyThe base for health, food and environment jobs.

MathematicsMeasure, calculate and read data accurately.

Economics / BusinessRun an estate like a business.

Skills to build

Patience in fieldwork and at seaCareful observation and record-keepingScientific writing and data analysisExplaining conservation to fishers and the public

Pay in the private market

Monthly pay from fresh grad to mid-career, from the salary guide cited on this page.

Entry

Private

RM2,470 – RM2,580

Government pay isn't shown: we haven't yet sourced the SSPA civil-service salary tables, and we won't estimate them.

Job demand outlook

Stable

Steady, reliable demand: a consistent number of openings.

Your readiness

How your current SPM subjects line up with this career.

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Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

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How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Matriculation

One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.

12–24 months

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

Source: SPA scheme: Pegawai Perikanan Gred G9 (formerly G41) starting pay – RM2,470 with an honours science degree in a related field, RM2,580 with a BSc (Fisheries) (SSPA); the main government entry post for marine biology graduates · as of Sept 2026

Check the salary figures yourself:JPA (SSPA schedule)SPA

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org