Studies planets, moons, asteroids, and comets in our solar system.
You might analyze images from a Mars rover, model the ocean under Jupiter's moon Europa, or help plan a mission to an asteroid. Work happens at NASA centers, universities, and labs like the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.
Based on physical scientists, all other, and NASA pay scales.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in planetary science, geology, physics, or astronomy.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Planetary Science, Geology, Physics, Astronomy.
Growing about average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI maps craters and sorts mission data automatically; mission planning and interpreting new worlds stay human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Earth science, AP Chemistry.
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.