by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Operational Oceanography covers Operational Oceanography. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of Physical Oceanography As Applied To The Naval Tactical And Strategic Environment And The Support Of Military Operations. Includes Instruction In Atmospheric Thermodynamics And Radiation Propagation, Air-Ocean Fluid Dynamics, Ocean Waves, Nearshore Environments And Processes, Ocean Acoustics, Ocean Analysis, Tactical Oceanography, Prediction, And Related Quantitative And Experimental Methods. Continue reading for the key facts every operational oceanography major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering operational oceanography programs.
In the U.S., operational oceanography draws strong interest, with 13 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Operational Oceanography Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for operational oceanography students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of operational oceanography programs later in this article.
Programs in Operational Oceanography emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations operational oceanography graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a operational oceanography program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a operational oceanography major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several operational oceanography degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 13 |
People currently working in careers related to operational oceanography tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 47.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.9% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Master’s degree | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in operational oceanography careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in operational oceanography prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to operational oceanography.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to operational oceanography.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of operational oceanography graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $89,751 |
| 5 years | $58,787 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for operational oceanography graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers operational oceanography grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 1 different operational oceanography programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased operational oceanography school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in operational oceanography, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Military Applied Sciences, Other | 143 |
| Space Systems Operations | 127 |
| Combat Systems Engineering | 43 |
| Undersea Warfare | 40 |
| Engineering Acoustics | 17 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
