by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2 U.S. colleges awarded 11 degrees and certificates in Atmospheric Chemistry & Climatology. Graduates earn a median $40,631 one year after completing, rising to $62,453 after four years.
A major in Atmospheric Chemistry & Climatology involves the study of Atmospheric Chemistry And Climatology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Atmospheric Constituents, Reactions, Measurement Techniques, And Processes In Predictive, Current, And Historical Contexts. Includes Instruction In Climate Modeling, Gases And Aerosols, Trace Gases, Aqueous Phase Chemistry, Sinks, Transport Mechanisms, Computer Measurement, Climate Variability, Paleoclimatology, Climate Diagnosis, Numerical Modeling And Data Analysis, Ionization, Recombination, Photoemission, And Plasma Chemistry.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, atmospheric chemistry & climatology is a widely-pursued major, with 11 degrees awarded annually. 2 colleges award atmospheric chemistry & climatology degrees, an average of 6 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 10.
All 11 of the awards are bachelor’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 54% of atmospheric chemistry & climatology degrees and certificates in the latest year (6 of 11). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6) and Asian (2), and international students earned 1.
O*NET rates Speaking the most important skill for jobs related to atmospheric chemistry & climatology, at 4.3 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are English Language, Mathematics and Education and Training. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an atmospheric chemistry & climatology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 11 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to atmospheric chemistry & climatology, at 31.6%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Atmospheric Chemistry & Climatology, with an average median salary of $114,730; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Project Manager and Geophysics Professor.
The occupation related to atmospheric chemistry & climatology with the most projected jobs is Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, at 615,002.
| 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% |
Atmospheric Chemistry & Climatology graduates earn a median $40,631 one year after completing their program, $62,453 after four years and $61,111 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $40,631 |
| 4 years | $62,453 |
| 5 years | $61,111 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to atmospheric chemistry & climatology is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| 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 |
Atmospheric Chemistry & Climatology has 3 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 1,286 degrees a year; the largest are Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General (965), Meteorology (276) and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other (45). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General | 965 |
| Meteorology | 276 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other | 45 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.