Also called: XR Developer, Spatial Computing Engineer
Builds augmented and virtual reality apps for headsets like Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, and smart glasses.
You build a VR training simulation where surgeons practice procedures, then tune it so it doesn't make users dizzy. You test by putting on the headset dozens of times a day.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in CS or game development; Unity/Unreal skills.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Game Development.
Growing faster than average. Growth tied to smart-glasses adoption; has been uneven.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI builds 3D scenes and code faster; making headset apps comfortable and fast stays specialist work in a small market.
Classes: AP Computer Science A, AP Physics, Art.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1252.
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.