Also called: X-ray Crystallographer
Figures out exactly how atoms are arranged inside crystals, from minerals to medicines.
You grow crystals, beam X-rays through them, and solve the pattern to reveal a 3D atomic map. Crystallography revealed DNA's double helix.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in chemistry, physics, or materials science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science & Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Growth is for chemists and materials scientists overall.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI structure prediction and automated solving cut much of the crystal-structure work; fewer crystallographers.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, Geometry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2032.
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.