by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you fascinated by storms and weather? Do you want to learn how to predict climate changes? Consider a degree in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology.
A degree in this field will allow you to study the climate, the gases that make up the atmosphere, and weather. You will take classes in physics, chemistry, meteorology, climatology, computer science, calculus, and other science courses to help you not only predict the weather, but also learn how to improve air quality, reduce pollution, and help find new sources of energy.
Along with the option to major in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, students also have the choice to major in areas of specialization including Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology, Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics, and Meteorology.
Studying Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology involves the study of Atmospheric Sciences And Meteorology. Read on to learn the important information every atmospheric sciences & meteorology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering atmospheric sciences & meteorology programs.
In the U.S., atmospheric sciences & meteorology draws strong interest, with 1,341 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools ranking analyzes these 91 schools to determine the best overall colleges for atmospheric sciences & meteorology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of atmospheric sciences & meteorology programs later in this article.
Programs in Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates commonly enter.
Since you will be required to perform advanced calculations, a strong background in mathematics is necessary for this field. You should be prepared to employ formulas to collect data on the atmosphere, air pressure, and temperature. Critical thinking skills will help you analyze this data and make climate and weather predictions while strong communication skills will allow you to explain your findings and predictions.
Atmospheric Scientists and Meteorologists often work fulltime jobs. However, these jobs don't always have typical work hours. Scientists must be watching the weather 24 hours a day even on weekends and holidays. Professionals often work on a rotating schedule to ensure conditions are constantly monitored. Longer and more irregular hours may occur during times of severe weather.
While a bachelor's degree will allow students to work in the Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology field, those who wish to perform research need a master's degree at minimum. An advanced degree will also allow student to find better employment opportunities with better pay and the potential for advancement.
The skill set built by a atmospheric sciences & meteorology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a atmospheric sciences & meteorology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several atmospheric sciences & meteorology 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 824 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 366 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 149 |
People currently working in careers related to atmospheric sciences & meteorology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.7% |
| Master’s degree | 26.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in atmospheric sciences & meteorology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Most Atmospheric and Meteorology graduates work at the many weather stations throughout the country monitoring weather and predicting storms. Other graduates work for the government as part of the National Weather Service or the U.S. Department of Defense. Broadcast Meteorology is another career option. Atmospheric and Meteorology graduates not only predict weather, but are helping protect the environment by finding jobs in private industries interested in improving air quality, reducing pollution, or other environment protection services.
With the field growing at an average pace, graduates should be able to find jobs after graduation, specifically in private industry. Those willing to relocate may have a better chance of landing a well-paying job.
Majoring in atmospheric sciences & meteorology prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to atmospheric sciences & meteorology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to atmospheric sciences & meteorology.
| 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% |
| Quality Control Analysts | 105,873 | 12.9% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | 71,781 | 0.4% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | 59,685 | 7.3% |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | 30,427 | -2.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $40,631 |
| 4 years | $52,102 |
| 5 years | $61,596 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers atmospheric sciences & meteorology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | $99,834 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $95,957 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $77,973 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Quality Control Analysts | $53,423 |
With 91 different atmospheric sciences & meteorology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased atmospheric sciences & meteorology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in atmospheric sciences & meteorology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General | 974 |
| Meteorology | 284 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other | 64 |
| Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology | 18 |
| Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics | 1 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19,434 |
| Physics | 12,910 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 7,622 |
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,661 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,580 |
| Materials Sciences | 650 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 422 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
