by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Atmospheric Chemistry & Climatology involves the study of Atmospheric Chemistry And Climatology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Atmospheric Constituents, Reactions, Measurement Techniques, And Processes In Predictive, Current, And Historical Contexts. Includes Instruction In Climate Modeling, Gases And Aerosols, Trace Gases, Aqueous Phase Chemistry, Sinks, Transport Mechanisms, Computer Measurement, Climate Variability, Paleoclimatology, Climate Diagnosis, Numerical Modeling And Data Analysis, Ionization, Recombination, Photoemission, And Plasma Chemistry. Read on to learn the important information every atmospheric chemistry & climatology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering atmospheric chemistry & climatology programs.
Nationwide, atmospheric chemistry & climatology is a widely-pursued major, with 18 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Atmospheric Chemistry & Climatology Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for atmospheric chemistry & climatology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of atmospheric chemistry & climatology programs later in this article.
Studies in Atmospheric Chemistry & Climatology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations atmospheric chemistry & climatology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a atmospheric chemistry & climatology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a atmospheric chemistry & climatology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several atmospheric chemistry & climatology 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 | 17 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to atmospheric chemistry & climatology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.6% |
| Master’s degree | 26.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Some college courses | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in atmospheric chemistry & climatology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying atmospheric chemistry & climatology prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to atmospheric chemistry & climatology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to atmospheric chemistry & climatology.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of atmospheric chemistry & climatology 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 chemistry & climatology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers atmospheric chemistry & climatology 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 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
With 3 different atmospheric chemistry & climatology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased atmospheric chemistry & climatology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in atmospheric chemistry & climatology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General | 974 |
| Meteorology | 284 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other | 64 |
| Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics | 1 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
