ZipRecruiter

Log In

8 Ecologist jobs in Columbus, OH

5 of the Best Types of Ecologist Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Ecologist jobs that are hiring now.

An Ecologist’s job is ultimately that of a scientist, one whose observations and responsibilities span several interconnected fields from environmental science to natural resource management. The exact amount of education differs based on the kind of work you’d like to do, but at the minimum this career path requires a bachelor’s degree, typically in one of the natural sciences: biology, ecology, forestry, or a similar field. While in school, find an internship or class that teaches geographic information systems (GIS) or data modeling skills. Upon graduation, you’ll want to further develop your practical research qualifications — seek research assistant opportunities or lab positions with entry-level duties. Ecologists can find work at organizations such as nonprofits, the private sector, and the government. Pursuing a master’s degree in a related field may open more of these research-based opportunities. Independent research or a faculty placement requires a doctoral degree.

If you are interested in a Ecologistjob, here are some kinds of positions to explore for this type of work with open positions on ZipRecruiter.

High Paying Ecologist Jobs

List of the top 5 highest paying Ecologist positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

  • Senior Ecologist

    Salary range: $69,000 - $86,000

    Senior Ecologist is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Senior Ecologist jobs pay between $69,000 (25th percentile) and $86,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Ecologist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

  • Entry Level Ecologist

    Salary range: $37,500 - $74,000

    The qualifications you need to get an entry-level ecologist job include a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, or a related field. Additional coursework in statistics, biochemistry, and zoology is desirable. Individuals pursuing a specialization often take classes in their chosen subdisciplines. Some gain employment by starting as interns with a government agency or private organization. The work is full-time and physically demanding, especially for jobs involving fieldwork. Keen observational skills are vital for collecting data. Excellent analytical skills are crucial for interpreting the information you collect. Outstanding interpersonal skills are necessary for interacting with the public and responding to concerns that the stakeholders have with issues like game management.

  • Full Time Ecologist

    Salary range: $37,500 - $74,000

    Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

  • Temporary Ecologist

    Salary range: $37,500 - $74,000

    A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

  • Junior Ecologist

    Salary range: $36,000 - $57,500

    Junior Ecologist is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Junior Ecologist jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $57,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Ecologist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All JobsEcologist Jobs5 of the Most Popular Types of Ecologist Jobs in 2026