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how long does it take to get a phd in entomology

How Long Does It Take To Get A Phd In Entomology

Entomology is the study of insects, including their relationships with other animals, their environments, and human beings. Entomological research can also give us broader insights into ecology, evolution, and social behavior.

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Entomologists study insects, such as ants, bees, and beetles. They also study arthropods, a related group of species that includes spiders and scorpions. Most entomologists specialize in a particular type of insect.

Insects outnumber all other forms of life combined, and perform functions vital to life on earth. Consequently, entomologists make many important contributions to scientific knowledge, such as the best ways to pollinate crops, conserve insect species, and protect crops, trees, wildlife, and livestock from pests. Understanding the roles insects play in their environments can also help us restore disturbed ecosystems and clean up contaminated sites. Some entomologists study how climate change will affect insect species and their distributions. Collegelearners will give you accurate information on the following; What Does an Entomologist Do? , How Long Does It Take To Get A Phd In Entomology and What Is the Average Entomologist Salary?

Entomologist Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More

What Does an Entomologist Do?

Entomologists study insects, their environments, and their behaviors through observational, experimental, chemical, and genetic techniques. They may specialize in a particular species or taxonomic group, or the use of insects for particular applications or industries.

Agricultural entomologists study how to protect crops from pests, without harming beneficial insect species like bees. They may develop new types of “integrated pest management” that uses some species to control others, reducing the need for pesticides.

Veterinary entomologists work on ways to protect livestock, wildlife, and zoo animals from insect pests and the diseases they carry.

Medical entomologists research ways to prevent the spread of diseases like West Nile Virus and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from insects to people.

Taxonomic entomologists work in the field looking for insects still unknown to science. Discovering new species helps us understand evolution and the role of insects, and can potentially lead to new medicines.

Forensic entomologists help solve murder cases by studying the insects associated with dead bodies. They can help determine the timeline and location of a crime.

Forest entomologists help protect wild plants and forests by studying the insect pests that attack them.

Structural entomologists study insects found in buildings, such as cockroaches. They research ways to prevent them from entering, and how to get rid of them once they’ve settled in.

Learn more about the entomology: study of insects.

Where Does an Entomologist Work?

Many entomologists are faculty members at colleges and universities. Doctoral degrees are generally required for these positions. Entomologists also work for agricultural agencies and companies which included but not limited federal, state, and local agricultural & forestry-protection agencies, health organizations, biotechnology firms, laboratories, research groups, zoos, and museums.

Entomologists work in offices and laboratories, and outside when doing fieldwork. Fieldwork may involve travel to remote destinations, which are often rain forests in South America or Asia. The work can be physically demanding and isolating.

See more potential forestry and agriculture career outcomes.

What Is the Average Entomologist Salary?

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t report on entomologists specifically, it groups them in with zoologists and wildlife biologists. As of 2012, this group made an average annual salary of $57,710. However, earnings will vary depending on the type of job, experience level, and location.

StateTotal EmploymentBottom 25%Median SalaryTop 75%
Alabama100$45,500$58,750$69,360
Alaska840$55,430$67,910$80,170
Arizona430$44,530$55,580$66,960
Arkansas170$40,690$49,040$59,310
California2,860$48,590$62,830$86,060
Colorado500$52,910$60,370$72,380
Connecticut70$74,650$86,270$100,850
District of Columbia90$62,480$97,930$126,790
Florida1,350$35,760$45,350$57,800
Georgia360$36,060$43,550$51,830
Hawaii150$52,450$62,490$86,080
Idaho500$45,040$56,780$71,110
Illinois150$48,600$58,520$74,980
Indiana80$40,700$54,170$66,970
Iowa90$59,560$69,270$69,280
Kentucky220$35,500$43,110$53,360
Louisiana100$46,530$63,140$74,630
Maine300$43,190$50,860$57,570
Maryland230$72,880$96,460$122,090
Massachusetts570$43,960$56,020$77,630
Michigan230$58,520$67,940$78,680
Minnesota720$46,640$54,830$61,790
Mississippi170$41,200$56,370$84,750
Missouri270$39,830$47,460$58,520
Montana330$47,030$56,510$70,800
Nebraska130$44,970$54,120$62,930
Nevada280$42,260$55,860$67,330
New Hampshire90$45,220$54,320$64,230
New Jersey140$50,420$77,870$91,710
New Mexico190$38,840$52,220$65,480
New York380$53,170$64,500$74,590
North Carolina430$44,160$52,520$65,320
North Dakota90$52,570$63,130$69,850
Ohio200$47,060$56,250$62,360
Oklahoma90$33,630$40,080$56,280
Oregon1,150$50,350$61,310$74,880
Pennsylvania270$42,420$52,100$63,150
Rhode Island40$67,630$75,710$88,070
South Carolina310$35,310$45,870$61,220
South Dakota160$38,460$46,330$57,170
Tennessee100$42,000$54,790$67,280
Texas360$49,610$59,310$75,680
Utah340$41,260$52,190$64,090
Vermont100$44,780$54,950$66,280
Virginia210$46,260$54,370$65,350
Washington1,760$54,640$63,940$83,490
West Virginia120$36,200$46,700$63,150
Wisconsin360$40,890$51,270$60,110
Wyoming340$48,540$59,350$65,150

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

Entomology Jobs & Job Description

Recent Entomology Job Listings

Use the search box below to find all the entomologist job listings in our job board.Post to EnvironmentalScience.org and 100+ Job Boards with One Submission Entomologists study the impact and relationships of insects on each other and on the environment. With appropriate qualifications, entomologist jobs are concentrated in a few key areas, namely research, and applied research in the agricultural, forestry, and structural fields. While responsibilities do vary from job to job, most often, entomologists will perform the following tasks as part of their duties:

  • Review current literature on an ongoing basis
  • Develop a cross disciplinary network in order to have access to first-order analyses of peripheral issues (like climate change) and how they may affect entomological modelling
  • Collect and manage field specimens
  • Conduct air, water, soil, and materials sampling for data collection about habitat and ecology
  • Provide guidance to stakeholders in order to solve complex and widespread pest control problems
  • Work with a holistic ecological mindset to develop and troubleshoot robust solutions and pest management plans
  • Perform modeling and prediction of entomological populations using computational analyses
  • Research, design, develop, and test structures, propulsion units, and guidance and control subsystems for aircraft, missiles, or spacecraft
  • Analyze aerospace product or equipment specifications and performance requirements to determine designs, which can be produced by existing manufacturing or processing facilities and methods
  • Evaluate new technologies for application to aerospace systems.
  • Plan, coordinate, direct, and evaluate testing of aerospace systems

Senior entomologist jobs are more likely to involve managerial and administrative elements such as:

  • Develop standards and guidelines for lab and field testing
  • Develop trapping and containment methods for specimens
  • Develop tracking methods and computations for specimen populations
  • Assess risk and financial damages due to insect infestation on small and large scale geographic areas
  • Create risk mitigation plans and strategies

Establish communication and performance guidelines, timelines, expenditures, and team cohesion.

  • Certification submissions
  • Create and deliver presentations to work group(s), stakeholders, and policy makers
  • Establish a leadership role in industry-related activities and in research circles
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