by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Chemical & Physical Oceanography covers Oceanography, Chemical And Physical. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Chemical Components, Mechanisms, Structure, And Movement Of Ocean Waters And Their Interaction With Terrestrial And Atmospheric Phenomena. Includes Instruction In Material Inputs And Outputs, Chemical And Biochemical Transformations In Marine Systems, Equilibria Studies, Inorganic And Organic Ocean Chemistry, Oceanographic Processes, Sediment Transport, Zone Processes, Circulation, Mixing, Tidal Movements, Wave Properties, And Seawater Properties. Read on to learn the important information every chemical & physical oceanography major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chemical & physical oceanography programs.
Across the country, chemical & physical oceanography is a popular field of study, with 569 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemical & physical oceanography students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chemical & physical oceanography programs later in this article.
Programs in Chemical & Physical Oceanography emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chemical & physical oceanography graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a chemical & physical oceanography program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a chemical & physical oceanography major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chemical & physical oceanography 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 | 244 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 204 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 119 |
People currently working in careers related to chemical & physical oceanography tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.4% |
| Master’s degree | 29.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 9.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| Some college courses | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in chemical & physical oceanography careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in chemical & physical oceanography can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to chemical & physical oceanography.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemical & physical oceanography.
| 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% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 150,428 | 4.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Hydrologists | 58,938 | 8.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of chemical & physical oceanography graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,682 |
| 4 years | $54,219 |
| 5 years | $61,701 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for chemical & physical oceanography graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chemical & physical oceanography grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Hydrologists | $96,513 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $58,500 |
With 37 different chemical & physical oceanography programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chemical & physical oceanography school rankings to help you.
Those considering chemical & physical oceanography, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology/Earth Science, General | 5,715 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other | 863 |
| Hydrology and Water Resources Science | 220 |
| Geophysics and Seismology | 197 |
| Geochemistry | 33 |
| Paleontology | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
