Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology explores the physical and dynamic processes governing Earth's atmosphere, with a focus on understanding weather systems, climate patterns, and atmospheric phenomena. This interdisciplinary field integrates principles from physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science to analyze and predict atmospheric behavior, supporting applications in forecasting, environmental management, and climate research.
- Atmospheric Dynamics: Studies the motion of air masses and the forces driving weather systems, including pressure gradients, Coriolis effects, and jet streams.
- Weather Forecasting: Applies observational data and numerical models to predict short-term atmospheric conditions and severe weather events.
- Climate Systems: Investigates long-term atmospheric patterns, climate variability, and the impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors on global climate.
- Remote Sensing: Utilizes satellite and radar technologies to collect atmospheric data, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis of weather and climate.
- Physical Meteorology: Examines the thermodynamic and radiative processes that govern cloud formation, precipitation, and energy transfer in the atmosphere.
- Atmospheric Chemistry: Focuses on the composition of the atmosphere, including trace gases, pollutants, and chemical reactions affecting air quality and climate.
- Numerical Modeling: Develops and applies computational simulations to represent atmospheric processes and project future weather and climate scenarios.
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Atmospheric and Space Scientists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 121,130 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1051 | $101,390 | $53,310 - $199,260 | 11,480 | N/A |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists 19-2021 | $97,450 | $49,990 - $160,710 | 8,780 | $46.85 |
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $84,190 in Florida to $160,570 in Massachusetts—a 91% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, California, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 121,130 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 9 institutions offering Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology is found at University of California (UCSD), San Diego (16 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (13 graduates), Oregon State University (OSU) (9 graduates), University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (8 graduates), and Rutgers University, New Brunswick (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 64 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Master's
|
3 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology programs
How much can I earn with a Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degree?
Salaries for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $101,390. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $160,570 compared to $84,190 in Florida. Approximately 121,130 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology programs?
Currently 9 accredited institutions offer Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCSD), San Diego (16 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (13 graduates), and Oregon State University (OSU) (9 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 22 in 2010 to 64 in 2023-24. This represents a 191% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and Atmospheric and Space Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 121,130 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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