Studies the cores of atoms: what holds them together and what happens when they split or fuse.
You might run experiments at a facility like the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams in Michigan, smashing atoms to create isotopes that only exist in exploding stars. Others work at national labs on nuclear energy, medicine, or national security.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. A bachelor's in physics, then a PhD in nuclear physics; many national lab jobs also require a security clearance.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Nuclear Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 7% over 10 years). Growth figure is for physicists and astronomers combined.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds data analysis and simulation; running beam experiments and national-lab security work stay human.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2012.
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.