Planetary Scientists vs Neuroscientists
Median pay is about $24k higher for Planetary Scientists. Both usually start with the same education: doctoral.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Planetary Scientists | Neuroscientists |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $122,570, higher | $98,920 |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $86,620, higher | $76,800 |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $161,890, higher | $127,670 |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +2.1% Growing | +4.7% Growing fast, higher |
| Openings a year | 1,400 | 4,300 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Doctoral | Doctoral |
| Difficulty modeled | 3 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | High | Very high |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 72nd pct | 89th pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, writing, speaking, science.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.