What is a Mammalogist?

Mammalogy is a specialized field of biology that deals specifically with the study and observation of mammals. This could include many different aspects of mammalian life, including evolution, biological function, management, and more.

What Does a Mammalogist Do?

Mammalogists may do a number of different things depending on their area of specialty. Broadly, Mammalogists study and observe different kinds of mammals. Many take interest in one specific type of or group of mammal. Some of the things Mammalogists may study include but are not limited to: the animal's behavior in its natural habitat, its classifications among other species, its anatomy and physiology, its role in a larger ecosystem, or the way this animal interacts with human beings. A Mammalogist may also combine multiple areas of study depending on their exact position or role.

Where Does a Mammalogist Work?

Mammalogists may work in any number of different locations, depending on their area of specialization or interest. Some Mammalogists spend a great deal of time working with and caring for mammals on a daily basis. Other Mammalogists spend a great deal of time in the field, observing and collecting data about a particular mammal. Fieldwork can take place in remote environments, meaning that a Mammalogist must be comfortable spending a lot of time alone. Fieldwork is often both physically and emotionally taxing for these reasons. Most Mammalogists work full-time, but may find themselves working long or strange hours when performing fieldwork. Working with nocturnal mammals could denote extensive nightshift work.

What Is the Average Mammalogist Salary?

Mammalogists, who fall under the broader BLS category of zoologists and wildlife biologists, earned a median salary of $66,350 as of May 2020.*

Most Mammalogists work for the state and federal governments, while a smaller percentage work for scientific consulting services or institutes of higher education.

StateTotal EmploymentBottom 25%Median SalaryTop 75%
Alabama210$45,160$54,840$75,510
Alaska740$64,670$76,040$90,200
Arizona370$48,560$59,030$70,940
California2,140$55,890$71,580$88,700
Colorado550$60,860$68,150$79,590
Connecticut60$61,820$72,540$94,280
District of Columbia80$88,440$106,670$122,840
Florida2,150$33,240$41,300$53,960
Georgia180$52,430$58,750$70,480
Hawaii250$57,780$70,830$83,610
Idaho440$54,530$66,550$77,400
Illinois270$45,300$55,900$72,690
Indiana120$41,920$51,770$64,810
Iowa90$63,090$71,730$71,740
Kansas170$49,820$54,150$59,730
Kentucky200$46,130$55,230$62,560
Louisiana60$53,970$71,410$79,940
Maine260$50,420$60,180$68,490
Maryland320$55,350$71,470$106,000
Massachusetts440$64,050$86,540$114,050
Michigan380$53,270$63,260$76,930
Minnesota690$48,630$63,630$73,720
Mississippi220$50,410$63,270$87,240
Missouri350$43,470$48,970$60,030
Montana370$54,790$63,090$76,530
Nebraska170$46,400$53,630$63,500
Nevada170$54,310$65,310$74,370
New Hampshire80$54,860$66,130$69,040
New Jersey130$58,150$79,340$93,790
New Mexico210$49,420$56,610$71,410
New York390$60,720$72,510$87,280
North Carolina430$46,940$54,210$67,340
North Dakota110$57,520$73,370$78,880
Ohio160$42,280$59,130$67,180
Oklahoma90$45,850$54,510$62,080
Oregon950$64,100$71,530$80,350
Pennsylvania210$55,160$65,820$81,270
Puerto Rico30$34,010$38,220$73,450
Rhode Island80$57,470$62,270$73,240
South Carolina200$39,600$47,570$59,610
South Dakota160$44,120$53,820$61,680
Tennessee180$52,110$62,410$75,960
Texas490$46,000$62,100$81,170
Utah290$45,130$53,810$67,350
Vermont90$57,970$68,610$76,240
Virginia270$51,560$60,720$76,470
Washington2,380$58,630$71,430$93,510
West Virginia130$36,500$45,290$60,430
Wisconsin310$52,030$56,220$67,590
Wyoming300$53,970$63,230$69,900

Table data taken from BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191023.htm)

Mammology Jobs

Full-time mammologist careers are quite specialized and not common, given how narrow in scope they can be. Additionally, most mammologist jobs specialize further in animals that belong to a certain family or that are found in a particular region of the world. While jobs do vary, there are many tasks that are common to most mammologist careers, like:

  • Plan and coordinate mammal assessment activities
  • Act as advocate and spokesperson for animals and ecosystem concerns within that specialty
  • Connect with other scientists, professionals, and advocacy groups to preserve and monitor habitats and populations in the wild and in protected environments
  • Draft reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, policy-makers and the public
  • Collect samples and conduct research in the lab, the field, and protected environments
  • Monitor and document mammal behavior in the lab, the field, and protected environments
  • Make sure data/specimen collection and recordkeeping is accurate and adheres to relevant safety procedures
  • Link with national, regional and international databases in order to share information and assessment data
  • Review current research and scientific literature in the field
  • Implement strategies and participate in associated sediment and flow monitoring
  • Consult on and implement habitat mitigation and remediation measures
  • Consult on environmental and site assessments
  • Be prepared for travel to temporary field assignments in remote locations

Second-tier mammologist roles often have an additional level of managerial tasks to facilitate the project's timing, budgeting, and communications needs. Some common tasks may include:

  • Planning and scheduling research trips and associated logistics
  • Presenting findings and research to stakeholders
  • Constructing budgets and timelines for workgroup
  • Serving as point of contact for peer-review data calls and planning
  • Serving on agency working groups to provide consultancy
  • Conducting reviews of records, reports, and assessments
  • Coordinating technical details for a range of cross-disciplinary projects
  • Coordinating data collection and input, interpretation, and reporting
  • Navigating environmental regulations and environmental approvals processes

What Is the Job Demand for Mammalogists?

The job demand for Mammalogists is expected to grow 5% in the next 10 years (2020-2030), which is slower than average.* Though increasing environmental concerns and a growing human population will increase demand for Mammalogists, the number of positions open will largely depend on government budgets.

What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Mammalogist?

Mammalogists require a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions, though many go on to obtain a master's degree or Ph.D. Some recommended majors for a bachelor's degree include zoology, biology, or other related field.

Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other software can help Mammalogists gather data efficiently and be able to improve their performance during fieldwork. After earning a Ph.D., some Mammalogists will go on to teach at universities full-time or to supplement their current income.

Degrees Related to Mammalogists

What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Mammalogists Have?

Mammalogists and those who wish to become Mammalogists can look to the following government websites for guidance:

  • National Park Service (NPS) is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior that is responsible for supporting local history and natural lands in America. Many Mammalogists are employed by the government in some capacity, making this website a potential resource for some.

Mammalogists can also browse through these organizations and websites for valuable resources:

  • American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) This professional society for Mammalogists boasts around 2,500 members that work in many different aspects of the industry. This organization gives members access to grant opportunities, industry-specific publications, continuing education, and group meetings. Overall, this society is dedicated to furthering the careers of Mammalogists everywhere.
  • American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is a nonprofit association that brings together biological researchers of all kinds from the United States. The focus on this organization is to spread information associated with the promotion of the field and showing its importance through advocacy and public policy efforts.

*2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for zoologists and wildlife biologists reflect national data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2021.