Also called: Heritage Scientist
Uses chemistry and physics to analyze artworks—what they're made of, how they're aging, and whether they're fakes.
Points an X-ray instrument at a painting to identify its pigments, discovers a hidden sketch underneath, and tests whether museum lighting is fading textiles.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in chemistry, physics, or materials science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Estimate.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds analysis of spectra and scans; designing tests for unique, irreplaceable objects stays human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Art History.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2031.
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.