Also called: Research Scientist, Computer Scientist
Invents new computing methods, algorithms, and systems at universities, government labs, and tech companies.
You might spend a week proving a new algorithm is faster, then build a prototype to show it works on real data. Results become papers, patents, and sometimes entire new products.
May 2025 BLS median $140,300.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. Usually a PhD in computer science; some government roles hire with a master's.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Mathematics, Computer Engineering.
Growing much faster than average (about 22% over 10 years). BLS projects 22% growth, 2025-35.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI research assistants now run experiments and draft papers, but choosing problems and inventing new ideas stays human.
Classes: AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1221.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.