by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Atmospheric Physics & Dynamics explores Atmospheric Physics And Dynamics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Processes Governing The Interactions, Movement, And Behavior Of Atmospheric Phenomena And Related Terrestrial And Solar Phenomena. Includes Instruction In Cloud And Precipitation Physics, Solar Radiation Transfer, Active And Passive Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Electricity And Acoustics, Atmospheric Wave Phenomena, Turbulence And Boundary Layers, Solar Wind, Geomagnetic Storms, Coupling, Natural Plasma, And Energization. Examples: [Magnetospheric Physics], [Aeronomy], [Ionospheric Environment]. Read on to learn the key facts every atmospheric physics & dynamics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering atmospheric physics & dynamics programs.
Across the country, atmospheric physics & dynamics is a widely-pursued major, with 1 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Atmospheric Physics & Dynamics Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for atmospheric physics & dynamics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of atmospheric physics & dynamics programs later in this article.
Studies in Atmospheric Physics & Dynamics develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations atmospheric physics & dynamics graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a atmospheric physics & dynamics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a atmospheric physics & dynamics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several atmospheric physics & dynamics 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to atmospheric physics & dynamics 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in atmospheric physics & dynamics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying atmospheric physics & dynamics opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to atmospheric physics & dynamics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to atmospheric physics & dynamics.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of atmospheric physics & dynamics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 physics & dynamics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers atmospheric physics & dynamics 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 1 different atmospheric physics & dynamics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased atmospheric physics & dynamics school rankings to help you.
Those considering atmospheric physics & dynamics, 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 Chemistry and Climatology | 18 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
