Also called: Data Processing Technician
Checks, cleans, and archives ocean data from buoys, floats, and ships.
These technicians spot bad sensor readings, run quality-control software, and make sure ocean data is ready for scientists and forecasters.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate or bachelor's degree with data skills.
Ways in: 2-year college, 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Environmental Science, Data Analytics, Oceanography.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
High risk for 10 years. Automated quality control and AI flag bad readings already; few manual data-cleaning jobs will remain.
Classes: Statistics, Computer applications, AP Computer Science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4099.
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