Also called: Oceanographer
Studies how ocean currents, waves, and tides move heat and water around the planet.
You might spend a month on a research ship deploying instruments in the Gulf Stream, then months analyzing data and running models. Places like Woods Hole and Scripps are famous centers.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in oceanography, physics, or applied math.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Oceanography, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Atmospheric Science.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Growth is for geoscientists overall.
Medium risk for 10 years. Robot floats and AI analysis do more of the measuring; research cruises and understanding currents stay human.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2042.
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.