Also called: Family historian, Forensic genealogist
Researches family trees and, in forensic genealogy, uses DNA databases to identify unknown people or solve cold cases.
Genealogists dig through census records, ship lists, and old church registers, and interpret DNA matches. Forensic genealogists help police identify suspects and remains. Many are self-employed.
Estimate; highly variable freelance income.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. No required degree; certification from the Board for Certification of Genealogists is respected.
Ways in: Self-taught, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: History, Genetics, Library Science.
Growing faster than average. DNA testing has boosted demand.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI reads old handwriting and links records fast, cutting routine research; DNA case work and judgment stay human.
Classes: AP US History, Biology, AP English Language.
Official data: O*NET occupation 25-4011.
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.