USA Career Guide- Entomologists

Education Required to be Entomologists

The minimum academic requirement is a four year bachelor's degree in the biological sciences or agriculture. Research positions in universities, government and industrial organizations require a graduate degree: a master's (M.Sc.) or doctoral (PhD) degree. Entomologists who aspire to go for research typically need a doctoral degree in entomology, zoology, biology, or other related field.

Certification

To be competitive in the field some Entomologists gain certification from the Entomological Society of America that offers the Board Certified Entomologist (BCE) and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) designations. Requirements typically include minimum education and experience and passing an extensive examination. Entomologists must complete regular continuing education throughout their careers to keep their skills current and stay abreast with new developments in the field.

Job Prospects of Entomologists in the USA

Entomologists are employed by municipal, provincial and federal governments, post-secondary institutions, environmental consulting companies and museums. Pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing companies and large pest control companies also hire entomologists to conduct research and demonstrate new products for people in the agriculture, forestry and medical communities. A few entomologists are independent consultants who provide insect identification services, advise clients on insect control or conduct environmental impact assessments.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that the rate of employment for all biological scientist will increase at a much faster rate than the average for all occupations: a strong 20% gain through 2018. As a subset of the biological science field, entomology should also be expected to show signs of expansion.

Entomologists holding graduate degrees, especially doctoral degrees, will continue to have the greatest number of employment opportunities in the field.

Pay of Entomologists  in the USA

The salary for an entomologist can vary widely based on the scientist’s level of education, years of experience, and area of specialization.

In 2012, some popular salary websites  reported an average salary of $50,600 for entomologist positions and cited a higher average salary of $62,000 for entomologists in the same year. Entomologists with advanced education can earn significantly higher salaries, often as high as six figures.

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have a separate category for entomologist salary data, it does record salary data for zoologists and wildlife biologists- fields which are closely related to the field of entomology. The most recent BLS salary survey reported that zoologists and wildlife biologists earned a mean annual wage of $61,660 in 2010.