Paleontologist

__**Job Description**__
From plankton to dinosaurs to human beings, the whole story of life on earth is hidden in fossils. Paleontologists study plant and animal fossils, piecing together the history of the natural world. Fossils are the remains or traces of living things. Bones are considered fossils, and are the most common form of animal remains. But earth and rock also contain the tracks and imprints of plants, insects, sea creatures, and micro-organisms like bacteria. The oldest traces of life on earth date back nearly 4 billion years. Paleontologists can specialize in the fossils of vertebrates (animals with backbones) or invertebrates (animals without backbones), in paleobotany (the study of plant fossils), or in taphonomy (the study of how fossils form). There are many other subfields as well. For instance, paleoecologists use fossils to reconstruct the ecologies and climates of previous ages of the earth. Their work forms part of the basis for our understanding of global warming. Many areas of the earth are still rich in fossils. In the field, paleontologists work on locating and retrieving the most important ones. Some fossils are uncovered by splitting rock slabs with dynamite, jackhammers, or hammers and chisels; then they’re extracted with needles or micro-sandblasters. Where fossils are embedded in soft earth, paleontologists dig with trowels, sift soil through screens, and clean their finds with soft brushes. The finds of paleontologists who do this fieldwork are preserved and cataloged by paleontologists who work in public and college museums, maintaining collections of fossils for scientific research. These paleontologists also teach the curious about paleontology by creating exhibits, giving tours, and sometimes writing educational materials. Some paleontologists work for the petroleum industry. They use their knowledge of fossils to identify the rock layers that are most likely to contain oil, which is made from fossil plant material. -Info found here.

__**Salary**__
Paleontologists who become college professors have PhDs. On average, they study for a total of 9 to 10 years after high school, and may spend 1 to 3 years in part-time positions before landing a full-time job. Average starting salaries for full-time college positions range from $40,000 to $50,000 a year, depending on the quality of the paleontologist’s research and the wealth of the institution. By mid-career professors typically make between $50,000 and $70,000 a year. After many years in the field, they can earn between $80,000 and $130,000 a year. Salaries for paleontologists who work for governments and private companies vary according to the nature of their job and their level of experience. For example, someone with a master’s degree starting out as a research or field assistant might make $35,000 a year. A research director or consultant with many years of experience can earn $60,000 or more a year. The earnings of paleontologists working at museums depend on the size and budget of the museum and the paleontologist’s level of education. An assistant with a bachelor’s or master’s degree may earn $25,000 a year at a small museum or $40,000 a year at a prestigious, well-funded one. Collection managers and curators generally have a master’s degree or PhD. They often earn between $35,000 and $85,000 a year, although chief curators of major museums may earn more than $100,000 a year. Info here.

__**Skills Needed/Education**__
If you are thinking about becoming a paleontologist, you should take as many science and math courses as you can while in high school. You should also develop your computer skills, as computers are used extensively to organize and analyze paleontological data.

Most museums take on volunteers; you should try to get hands-on experience with fossil collections as soon as possible. Depending on where you live, you may even be able to start collecting your own fossils locally. Paleontologists at colleges or museums in your area can tell you where to start looking.

Education
Most professional paleontologists are college professors. To teach at college you need a PhD. The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree. Few colleges have bachelor’s programs specifically in paleontology, but most offer paleontology courses in their geology departments. At the bachelor’s level, aspiring paleontologists usually major in geology, biology, or a related area. It’s important to get a good grounding in both of these fields, as well as in ecology, evolution, zoology, and chemistry. It’s also a good idea to take courses in statistical analysis and math. Once you have completed your bachelor’s degree, you can go for your master’s degree, then your PhD. Master’s programs take between 1 and 2 years to complete; PhD programs generally take 4 or 5 years. Students enrolled in these programs usually specialize in one area of paleontology, such as vertebrate paleontology. A master’s degree will qualify you for some private sector, government, and museum jobs. With a PhD, however, you will have a higher starting salary and be more likely to be promoted to senior positions.

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__**Related Careers**__
Some related careers to this are: Geologist Biologist Hydrologist

__**Avery Petersen**__