Also called: Exoplanet Astronomer
Discovers and studies planets orbiting other stars, looking for ones that could support life.
You comb through star brightness data for the tiny dips caused by planets passing in front, or use JWST to read the gases in a far-off planet's atmosphere. Over 5,000 exoplanets are known, and the count keeps growing.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 11 years after high school. PhD in astronomy, physics, or planetary science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Astronomy, Physics, Planetary Science.
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 for 10 years. AI scans star data for planet dips automatically; JWST proposals and reading planet atmospheres stay human.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry.
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.