Also called: Fossil Plant Scientist
Studies fossil plants to learn about ancient climates and the evolution of plants.
Splits rocks to find 50-million-year-old leaf fossils, measures them to estimate ancient temperatures, and curates museum collections.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in botany, geology, or paleontology.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Botany, Geology.
Growing about average. Tracks BLS biological scientists.
Low risk for 10 years. Splitting rocks for leaf fossils and curating collections are hands-on research in a tiny field.
Classes: Earth science, AP Biology, Chemistry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1029.
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