Also called: Network Scientist, Nonlinear Dynamics Researcher
Uses physics-style math to understand systems with many moving parts, like traffic, ecosystems, the economy, or the internet.
You might model how a rumor spreads through social media, how a power grid fails in a cascade, or why fireflies flash in sync. The Santa Fe Institute is a famous home for this work.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in physics, applied math, or computer science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Applied Mathematics, 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. Much of the work is modeling and code that AI now drafts well; fewer roles, with framing questions staying human.
Classes: AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science.
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.