Gerontologist

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Work Tasks

• Study aging and the special problems of older people
• Do research and get data from watching older people and how they act in different situations
• Study how aging affects social roles, behavior, living arrangements, income, and other things
• Plan health care and other services for older people
• Work for the government, research firms, consulting firms, hospitals, welfare, nonprofit organizations, or for themselves in a private practice
• Work with surveys, reports, telephones, and computers

Salary, Size & Growth

• $104,500 average per year ($50.25 per hour)
• A small occupation (24,700 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in gerontology for entry-level assistant or trainee jobs
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree for research or community college teaching; a Ph.D. for senior level positions in research institutes and government agencies
• Skills/Courses: Gerontology is a multidisciplinary field. Courses are taught in several specialized subjects.