Also called: Telescope Store Technician, Astronomy Equipment Specialist
Helps stargazers choose, set up and fix telescopes and astronomy cameras at specialty stores and repair shops.
Mornings you answer calls from customers whose computerized mount can't find Jupiter. Afternoons you line up the mirrors in a used telescope, re-grease its gears, and show a family how to point it at the North Star. Some evenings you host a free star party in the store parking lot.
Some stores add sales commission.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma plus deep hobby knowledge of astronomy; trained on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Self-taught. Training cost: Under $15k.
Growing slowly. Online sales mean fewer shops, but more phone and video support roles.
Medium risk for 10 years. Online stores and smart telescopes cut simple sales help; repairing mounts, aligning optics and teaching beginners stay human.
Age 18+. One way to start: If you know telescopes, apply to specialty astronomy and camera stores for sales associate jobs
Classes: Physics, Earth & space science, Photography.
Official data: O*NET occupation 41-2031.
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.