by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Atomic/Molecular Physics explores Atomic/molecular Physics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Behavior Of Matter-Energy Phenomena At The Level Of Atoms And Molecules. Includes Instruction In Chemical Physics, Atomic Forces And Structure, Molecular Orbital Theory, Magnetic Resonance, Molecular Bonding, Phase Equilibria, Quantum Theory Of Solids, And Applications To The Study Of Specific Elements And Higher Compounds. Continue reading for the key facts every atomic/molecular physics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering atomic/molecular physics programs.
Nationwide, atomic/molecular physics draws strong interest, with 6 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Atomic/Molecular Physics Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for atomic/molecular physics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of atomic/molecular physics programs later in this article.
Programs in Atomic/Molecular Physics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations atomic/molecular physics graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a atomic/molecular physics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a atomic/molecular physics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several atomic/molecular physics 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 | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to atomic/molecular physics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.0% |
| Master’s degree | 14.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in atomic/molecular physics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in atomic/molecular physics prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to atomic/molecular physics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to atomic/molecular physics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | 415,392 | 14.3% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Physicists | 118,738 | 8.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of atomic/molecular physics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $50,456 |
| 4 years | $75,002 |
| 5 years | $86,291 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for atomic/molecular physics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers atomic/molecular physics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Physicists | $111,776 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,685 |
With 4 different atomic/molecular physics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased atomic/molecular physics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in atomic/molecular physics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physics, General | 11,944 |
| Physics, Other | 482 |
| Optics/Optical Sciences | 249 |
| Acoustics | 175 |
| Theoretical and Mathematical Physics | 37 |
| Condensed Matter and Materials Physics | 8 |
| Elementary Particle Physics | 6 |
| Nuclear Physics | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
