by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 4 U.S. colleges awarded 12 degrees and certificates in Atomic/Molecular Physics. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 42% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $50,584 one year after completing, rising to $85,749 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, atomic/molecular physics draws strong interest, with 12 degrees awarded annually. 4 colleges award atomic/molecular physics degrees, an average of 3 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 7.
By level, the 12 awards include 3 bachelor’s degrees, 5 master’s degrees and 4 doctorates.
Women earned 25% of atomic/molecular physics degrees and certificates in the latest year (3 of 12). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (4) and Hispanic or Latino (2), and international students earned 4.
The most common atomic/molecular physics credential is the master’s degree: 5 of the 12 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to atomic/molecular physics call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long an atomic/molecular physics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to atomic/molecular physics, at 32.9%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Atomic/Molecular Physics, with an average median salary of $123,067; the strongest outlook belongs to Physics Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials Manager and Oncology Clinical Research Coordinator.
The occupation related to atomic/molecular physics with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| 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% |
Atomic/Molecular Physics graduates earn a median $50,584 one year after completing their program, $85,749 after four years and $87,663 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $50,584 |
| 4 years | $85,749 |
| 5 years | $87,663 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to atomic/molecular physics 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 |
| Physicists | $111,776 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,685 |
Atomic/Molecular Physics has 8 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 13,917 degrees a year; the largest are Physics, General (12,923), Physics, Other (480) and Optics/Optical Sciences (267). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physics, General | 12,923 |
| Physics, Other | 480 |
| Optics/Optical Sciences | 267 |
| Acoustics | 189 |
| Theoretical and Mathematical Physics | 37 |
| Elementary Particle Physics | 12 |
| Condensed Matter and Materials Physics | 5 |
| Nuclear Physics | 4 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.