Also called: Space domain awareness analyst, Satellite conjunction analyst
Tracks thousands of satellites and pieces of space debris and warns operators about possible collisions.
Orbital analysts work with radar and telescope data to update orbits, then send warnings when two objects may pass too close. The U.S. tracks 40,000+ objects. These jobs exist with the Space Force (18th and 19th Space Defense Squadrons), contractors, and commercial space-tracking startups.
Contractor and civilian salaries; 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 physics, aerospace engineering, or math; military space experience is common.
Ways in: 4-year college, Military. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Astronomy.
Growing much faster than average. Space traffic is exploding with satellite megaconstellations.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Software now screens most satellite collision risks automatically; fewer analysts, focused on hard cases.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science.
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.