Also called: Child development scientist, Developmental psychologist
Studies how babies and young children learn, using experiments, observation, and brain scans.
Researchers run studies where toddlers play games while cameras track their eyes, analyze data, write grant applications, and publish papers that shape preschool programs and parenting advice. Many work at universities; others at think tanks or government agencies.
Estimate; university faculty salaries vary widely by school.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in developmental psychology, child development, or education (5-6 years after a bachelor's).
Ways in: Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Psychology, Child Development, Neuroscience.
Growing about average. Tied to research funding.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds coding of video and data analysis, so labs need fewer junior assistants; designing studies with babies and winning grants stays human.
Classes: AP Psychology, AP Statistics, Biology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-3039.
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.