Also called: Solid-State Physicist, Quantum Materials Scientist
Studies how huge numbers of atoms team up to create superconductors, magnets, and new quantum materials.
You might grow a crystal that conducts electricity with zero resistance, then measure it in powerful magnets at a national lab. Condensed matter is the largest branch of physics and the source of transistors, lasers, and MRI magnets.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. A bachelor's in physics, then a PhD in condensed matter physics, often followed by a postdoc before university or industry research jobs.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry.
Growing faster than average (about 7% over 10 years). Growth figure is for physicists and astronomers combined.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI predicts new materials, but growing crystals and measuring them in big magnets stay hands-on.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC.
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.