Also called: Astrogeologist
Reads the rocks and landscapes of other worlds, like Mars and the Moon, to learn their history.
You map ancient riverbeds on Mars from orbit, help pick where a rover should drive next, and do field work in Earth places that look like Mars, such as Iceland or Utah's deserts. The USGS Astrogeology center in Flagstaff is a famous employer.
Based on geoscientists.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in geology or planetary science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Geology, Planetary Science, Earth Science.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Growth is for geoscientists overall.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI maps landforms from orbit faster; picking rover targets and Mars-like fieldwork stay human.
Classes: Earth science, AP Physics, AP Chemistry.
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.