Also called: Synthetic Media Analyst, Media Forensics Analyst
Investigates whether photos, videos, and audio are real or AI-generated fakes.
A deepfake analyst runs a viral video through detection software, checks lighting and shadows frame by frame, traces where it first appeared, and writes findings for a newsroom, court, or company.
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 computer science, digital forensics, or journalism.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Digital Forensics, Journalism.
Growing about average. A fast-emerging specialty.
Medium risk for 10 years. Detection software handles first-pass screening; tracing sources, frame-by-frame review and expert reports for courts stay human.
Classes: Computer Science, Journalism, Photography/video, AP Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1299.
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.