Also called: Ocean Acoustics Scientist
Studies how sound travels underwater, for submarines, whale research, and seafloor mapping.
Acousticians model how sound bends and bounces through layers of seawater, design hydrophone experiments, and analyze recordings, from whale songs to submarine signatures. Much of the work is funded by the Navy.
Based on BLS physicists data.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD or master's in physics, acoustics, or ocean engineering (Penn State's acoustics program is famous).
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Acoustics, Ocean Engineering, Electrical Engineering.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI now classifies whale calls and sonar contacts; physics expertise and experiment design remain essential.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Music or band.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2012.
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.