Also called: Observing Assistant, Night Assistant
Runs a large research telescope through the night for visiting astronomers.
Your workday starts at sunset. You open the dome, check the weather, point the telescope, and keep it safe while astronomers collect data, often remotely from across the world. You go home at sunrise.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in physics or astronomy; trained on the job.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Astronomy, Physics.
Growing slowly. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Many telescopes are now robotic or run remotely; fewer night operators needed.
Classes: Physics, Astronomy, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4099.
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.