Also called: Ocean Physicist
Studies how ocean currents, waves, tides, and heat move around the planet.
A physical oceanographer might spend a month at sea dropping instruments over the side of a research ship, then months back home analyzing the data to understand things like the Gulf Stream or hurricane fuel. Writing grants and papers is a big part of the job.
Based on BLS geoscientists data; academic and federal pay vary widely.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in oceanography or physics for research jobs (Scripps, Woods Hole/MIT, URI, Oregon State, UW are major programs); a master's works for many government and industry roles.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Oceanography, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Atmospheric Science.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI crunches float and satellite data and drafts code; designing cruises, deploying instruments and explaining results stay human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2042.
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.