Also called: Research Assistant, Lab Technician (Quantum)
Helps scientists build and run quantum experiments, often right out of college.
You align lasers, wire electronics, write data-collection scripts, and run overnight experiments. It's a great way to learn whether you want to go on to a PhD while getting paid.
Quantum jobs are new and not tracked separately by BLS; figures are estimates from industry salary surveys and related occupations.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in physics or engineering; a common step before grad school.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering.
Growing faster than average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI writes data scripts, but aligning lasers and wiring experiments stay hands-on.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Electronics CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4012.
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.