Salary

Paleontologists, had an average annual salary of $97,700 as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Job Availability

Overall, employment of geoscientists will increase 21 percent, from 33,800 to 40,900 by 2020, according to the BLS.  The turnover rate is very quick for a paleontologist where many get hired very soon out of college.

Profestional Associations

• American Geologic Institute (AGI) - A federation of 29 geoscience societies promoting education in earth science. Included are several paleontological organizations, including the Paleontological Society, and SVP.

• International Organization of Paleobotany - Fossil Plant society headquartered in England

• National Center for Science Education (NCSE) - An organization concerned with science education and the Creation/evolution controversy.

• Paleontological Research Institution - Features a "virtual fieldtrips", image and data files from the PRI collections of more than 2 million specimens, and membership information.

• The Paleontology Society - An international organization based in Maryland, devoted to the advancement of paleontology. The Society publishes the Journal of Paleontology six times per year. The site includes a Code of Fossil Collecting.

Jobs

Paleontologists primarily work in colleges and universities as instructors and researchers for Geology and Paleontology departments. 

• Self-employment (as consultants for academics and industry)

• Museums and historical exhibits

• Provincial/state and federal government departments (typically for mapping or other applied geological functions)

• Oil, gas and mining companies