Studies viruses—how they infect cells, evolve, and can be stopped.
Works in a high-containment lab wearing a respirator, growing a virus in cells and testing which antiviral drug stops it from copying itself. Tracks mutations in new variants on the computer.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in virology, microbiology, or molecular biology.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biology.
Growing much faster than average (about 9% over 10 years). Follows medical scientists.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI tracks mutations and predicts drug targets; high-containment lab work with live viruses stays skilled human work.
Classes: AP Biology, Chemistry, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1042.
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.