Also called: Heliophysicist, Magnetospheric Physicist
Studies the space around Earth, including the auroras, radiation belts, and how the solar wind hits our planet.
You analyze measurements from spacecraft flying through Earth's magnetic field, or run radar that studies the upper atmosphere in Alaska. Your work helps protect satellites and astronauts from space radiation.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in physics or space science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Space Physics, Atmospheric Science.
Growing faster than average (about 7% over 10 years). Growth figure is for physicists and astronomers combined.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI spots patterns in spacecraft data; building instruments, running radars and physics insight stay human.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2012.
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.