Studies the origin, shape, and fate of the entire universe, including dark matter and dark energy.
You analyze maps of the Big Bang's leftover glow or the positions of millions of galaxies to measure what the universe is made of. Much of the work is statistics, code, and theory.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 11 years after high school. PhD in physics or astrophysics.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics.
Growing faster than average (about 7% over 10 years). Growth figure is for physicists and astronomers combined; astronomy alone is a small field with about 2,000 US jobs.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Mostly statistics, code and theory that AI is getting good at; very few jobs, and AI may shrink them further.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2011.
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.