by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology explores Atmospheric Sciences And Meteorology, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Composition And Behavior Of The Atmospheric Envelopes Surrounding The Earth, The Effect Of Earth's Atmosphere On Terrestrial Weather, And Related Problems Of Environment And Climate. Includes Instruction In Atmospheric Chemistry And Physics, Atmospheric Dynamics, Climatology And Climate Change, Weather Simulation, Weather Forecasting, Climate Modeling And Mathematical Theory; And Studies Of Specific Phenomena Such As Clouds, Weather Systems, Storms, And Precipitation Patterns. Examples: [Atmospheric Sciences]. Read on to learn the essential details every general atmospheric sciences & meteorology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general atmospheric sciences & meteorology programs.
In the U.S., general atmospheric sciences & meteorology is a popular field of study, with 974 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools ranking analyzes these 64 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general atmospheric sciences & meteorology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general atmospheric sciences & meteorology programs later in this article.
Programs in General Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a general atmospheric sciences & meteorology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general atmospheric sciences & meteorology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 538 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 301 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 135 |
People currently working in careers related to general atmospheric sciences & meteorology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.0% |
| Master’s degree | 24.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 9.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.6% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general atmospheric sciences & meteorology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general atmospheric sciences & meteorology opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general atmospheric sciences & meteorology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general 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 general atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general 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 64 different general atmospheric sciences & meteorology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general atmospheric sciences & meteorology school rankings to help you.
Those considering general atmospheric sciences & meteorology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Meteorology | 284 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other | 64 |
| Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology | 18 |
| Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics | 1 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
