Science & Research Careers
Discover, experiment, innovate. Science careers push the boundaries of knowledge.
Science and research careers span biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and emerging fields like quantum computing and genomics. From laboratory research to field work, science careers let you explore the unknown and make discoveries that change the world.
All Science & Research Careers
🔥 Synthetic Biology Entrepreneur
"Programming life" — redesigning DNA of bacteria and yeast like writing code, making them produce biofuels, spider silk, lab-grown protein, new drugs, biodegradable plastics.
🔥 Space Tourism Experience Designer
Space tourism isn't just "launching people up" — someone needs to design the whole experience: zero-gravity dining, in-cabin entertainment, space hotel interiors. Crosses aerospace + hospitality + experience design.
🔥 Food Science Innovator
Develop plant-based meats, lab-grown proteins, edible packaging, personalized nutrition.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists study the environment and develop solutions to environmental problems like pollution, climate change, and resource depletion.
Logging workers
Logging workers play a vital role in the US economy, with 44K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $49,540, with projected growth of -2% through 2034 (Decline).
Forest and conservation workers
Forest and conservation workers play a vital role in the US economy, with 11K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $43,680, with projected growth of -5% through 2034 (Decline).
Agricultural workers
Agricultural workers play a vital role in the US economy, with 813K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $35,980, with projected growth of -3% through 2034 (Decline).
Conservation scientists and foresters
Conservation scientists and foresters play a vital role in the US economy, with 42K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $69,060, with projected growth of 3% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Environmental science and protection technicians
Environmental science and protection technicians play a vital role in the US economy, with 40K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $49,490, with projected growth of 4% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Agricultural and food science technicians
Agricultural and food science technicians play a vital role in the US economy, with 39K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $48,480, with projected growth of 5% through 2034 (Faster than average).
🔥 Space Economy Analyst
Study satellite markets, launch costs, space tourism, and orbital logistics.
Nuclear technicians
Nuclear technicians play a vital role in the US economy, with 6K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $104,240, with projected growth of -8% through 2034 (Decline).
Geoscientists
Geoscientists play a vital role in the US economy, with 25K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $99,240, with projected growth of 3% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
Zoologists and wildlife biologists play a vital role in the US economy, with 18K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $72,860, with projected growth of 2% through 2034 (Slower than average).
Forensic science technicians
Forensic science technicians play a vital role in the US economy, with 21K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $67,440, with projected growth of 13% through 2034 (Much faster than average).
Anthropologists and archeologists
Anthropologists and archeologists play a vital role in the US economy, with 9K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $64,910, with projected growth of 4% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Chemical technicians
Chemical technicians play a vital role in the US economy, with 57K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $57,790, with projected growth of 4% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Biological technicians
Biological technicians play a vital role in the US economy, with 83K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $52,000, with projected growth of 3% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Geological and hydrologic technicians
Geological and hydrologic technicians play a vital role in the US economy, with 13K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $50,510, with projected growth of 1% through 2034 (Slower than average).
Hydrologists
Hydrologists play a vital role in the US economy, with 6K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $92,060, with projected growth of 0% through 2034 (Little or no change).
Microbiologists
Microbiologists play a vital role in the US economy, with 21K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $87,330, with projected growth of 4% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Agricultural and food scientists
Agricultural and food scientists play a vital role in the US economy, with 39K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $78,770, with projected growth of 6% through 2034 (Faster than average).
Physicists and astronomers
Physicists and astronomers play a vital role in the US economy, with 26K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $166,290, with projected growth of 4% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Biochemists and biophysicists
Biochemists and biophysicists play a vital role in the US economy, with 36K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $103,650, with projected growth of 6% through 2034 (Faster than average).
Sociologists
Sociologists play a vital role in the US economy, with 3K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $101,690, with projected growth of 4% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Medical scientists
Medical scientists play a vital role in the US economy, with 165K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $100,590, with projected growth of 9% through 2034 (Much faster than average).
Chemists and materials scientists
Chemists and materials scientists play a vital role in the US economy, with 96K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $86,620, with projected growth of 5% through 2034 (Faster than average).
Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists play a vital role in the US economy, with 12K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $83,980, with projected growth of 16% through 2034 (Much faster than average).
Urban and regional planners
Urban and regional planners play a vital role in the US economy, with 45K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $83,720, with projected growth of 3% through 2034 (As fast as average).
Historians
Historians play a vital role in the US economy, with 3K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $74,050, with projected growth of 2% through 2034 (Slower than average).
Political scientists
Political scientists play a vital role in the US economy, with 7K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $139,380, with projected growth of -3% through 2034 (Decline).
Actuaries
Actuaries play a vital role in the US economy, with 34K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $125,770, with projected growth of 22% through 2034 (Much faster than average).
Atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists
Atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists play a vital role in the US economy, with 9K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $97,450, with projected growth of 1% through 2034 (Slower than average).
Geographers
Geographers play a vital role in the US economy, with 2K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $97,200, with projected growth of -3% through 2034 (Decline).
Economists
Economists play a vital role in the US economy, with 18K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $115,440, with projected growth of 1% through 2034 (Slower than average).
Mathematicians and statisticians
Mathematicians and statisticians play a vital role in the US economy, with 35K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $104,350, with projected growth of 8% through 2034 (Much faster than average).
Operations research analysts
Operations research analysts play a vital role in the US economy, with 112K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $91,290, with projected growth of 21% through 2034 (Much faster than average).
Survey researchers
Survey researchers play a vital role in the US economy, with 9K professionals employed nationwide. The median annual salary is $63,380, with projected growth of -5% through 2034 (Decline).
Recommended AP Courses for Science & Research
These AP courses are most frequently connected to Science & Research careers. Taking them in high school gives you a head start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying careers in Science & Research?
The highest-paying Science & Research careers include Physicists and astronomers ($166,290), Space Tourism Experience Designer ($150,000), Political scientists ($139,380). The average salary across all Science & Research careers on PathLeap is $87,492.
Which Science & Research careers are safest from AI?
The most AI-resilient Science & Research careers include Synthetic Biology Entrepreneur (AI risk: 5/100), Space Tourism Experience Designer (AI risk: 12/100), Food Science Innovator (AI risk: 12/100). These careers involve skills that are harder for AI to replicate.
What AP courses should I take for Science & Research?
The most recommended AP courses for Science & Research careers are AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Macroeconomics. These courses build foundational skills valued in Science & Research.
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