by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Meteorology covers Meteorology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Prediction Of Atmospheric Motion And Climate Change. Includes Instruction In General Circulation Patterns, Weather Phenomena, Atmospheric Predictability, Parameterization, Numerical And Statistical Analysis, Large- And Mesoscale Phenomena, Kinematic Structures, Precipitation Processes, And Forecasting Techniques. Continue reading for the essential details every meteorology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering meteorology programs.
Across the country, meteorology is a popular field of study, with 284 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Meteorology Schools ranking analyzes these 26 schools to determine the best overall colleges for meteorology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of meteorology programs later in this article.
Programs in Meteorology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations meteorology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a meteorology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a meteorology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several 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 | 215 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 55 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 12 |
People currently working in careers related to meteorology 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 meteorology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in meteorology can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to meteorology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to 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% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | 59,685 | 7.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of 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 meteorology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers meteorology 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 26 different meteorology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased meteorology school rankings to help you.
Those considering meteorology, 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 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other | 64 |
| Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology | 18 |
| Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics | 1 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
