by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 5 U.S. colleges awarded 21 degrees and certificates in Paleontology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 52% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $43,327 one year after completing, rising to $65,518 after four years.
A major in Paleontology involves the study of Paleontology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Extinct Life Forms And Associated Fossil Remains, And The Reconstruction And Analysis Of Ancient Life Forms, Ecosystems, And Geologic Processes. Includes Instruction In Sedimentation And Fossilization Processes, Fossil Chemistry, Evolutionary Biology, Paleoecology, Paleoclimatology, Trace Fossils, Micropaleontology, Invertebrate Paleontology, Vertebrate Paleontology, Paleobotany, Field Research Methods, And Laboratory Research And Conservation Methods.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, paleontology draws strong interest, with 21 degrees awarded annually. 5 colleges award paleontology degrees, an average of 4 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 9.
By level, the 21 awards include 10 bachelor’s degrees and 11 master’s degrees.
Women earned 62% of paleontology degrees and certificates in the latest year (13 of 21). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (15) and Hispanic or Latino (1).
The most common paleontology credential is the master’s degree: 11 of the 21 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to paleontology call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a paleontology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to paleontology, at 31.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.1% |
| Master’s degree | 28.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Paleontology, with an average median salary of $110,835; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Clinical Trials Manager, Research Coordinator and Seismology Teacher.
The occupation related to paleontology with the most projected jobs is Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, at 615,002.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 150,428 | 4.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Paleontology graduates earn a median $43,327 one year after completing their program, $65,518 after four years and $63,299 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,327 |
| 4 years | $65,518 |
| 5 years | $63,299 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to paleontology is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $58,500 |
Paleontology has 6 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 7,692 degrees a year; the largest are Geology/Earth Science, General (5,781), Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other (960) and Oceanography, Chemical and Physical (543). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology/Earth Science, General | 5,781 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other | 960 |
| Oceanography, Chemical and Physical | 543 |
| Hydrology and Water Resources Science | 210 |
| Geophysics and Seismology | 173 |
| Geochemistry | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.