by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Climate Science explores A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Climate System Of The Earth With Emphasis On The Physical, Dynamical, And Chemical Interactions Of The Atmosphere, Ocean, Land, Ice, And The Terrestrial And Marine Biospheres. Includes Instruction In Biology, Chemistry, Climate Analysis, Climate Change Adaptation/mitigation, Climate Policy, Ecology, Energy Development, Environmental Impacts, Marine Chemistry, Meteorology, And Oceanography. Continue reading for the essential details every climate science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering climate science programs.
Across the country, climate science is a widely-pursued major, with 100 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Climate Science Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for climate science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of climate science programs later in this article.
Studies in Climate Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations climate science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a climate science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a climate science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several climate science 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 93 |
People currently working in careers related to climate science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.0% |
| Master’s degree | 26.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.1% |
| Some college courses | 3.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in climate science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in climate science prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to climate science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to climate science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | 59,685 | 7.3% |
| Geographers | 41,950 | 10.6% |
Salaries for climate science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers climate science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $77,973 |
| Geographers | $77,391 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
With 7 different climate science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased climate science school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
