Also called: Image Scientist, Camera Systems Scientist
Makes cameras see better, from phone cameras to satellite and medical imaging systems.
You test how a new phone camera sensor handles low light, measure noise and color, and write code that turns raw pixels into a beautiful photo. Other imaging scientists design spy-satellite cameras or improve X-ray and MRI images.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's in physics, imaging science, or electrical engineering; master's or PhD common. Rochester Institute of Technology offers an imaging science degree.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Imaging Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science.
Growing faster than average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI image pipelines now do much of the camera tuning and enhancement; fewer imaging specialists per product.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Computer Science, Photography.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2099.
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.