Atmospheric Sciences graduates earn $60,997 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Natural Sciences Managers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Atmospheric Sciences as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Physical Sciences and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Atmospheric Sciences is a focused area of study within Physical Sciences. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $60,997 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 114 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,288 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$41,472
Median Earnings · 4yr
$60,997
Colleges Offering
114
Graduates / Year
1,288
Avg Net Price / yr
$18,360
How Much Do Atmospheric Sciences Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Atmospheric Sciences, a typical graduate earns $60,997, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $46,531 and $78,104, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $41,472 at one year out to $60,997 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$60,997
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$61,598
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Atmospheric Sciences graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$46,53125th pct.
$60,997Median
$78,10475th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $60,997 and an estimated $73,440 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.4 years.
Based on outcomes from 83 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,288 students who complete Atmospheric Sciences programs each year, the majority (67%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
67%21%
Bachelor's67%
Master's21%
Doctorate11%
What Can You Do With an Atmospheric Sciences Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Atmospheric Sciences graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Natural Sciences Managers pay the most at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as structural geology, micrometeorology, and atmospheric thermodynamics.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.
Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.
Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate.
Top Colleges for Atmospheric Sciences
Not sure where to study Atmospheric Sciences? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Atmospheric Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Physical Sciences Programs
Atmospheric Sciences is not the only path through Physical Sciences: 7 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Atmospheric Sciences program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Atmospheric Sciences shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $60,997 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $41,472 at graduation to $60,997 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.2% over the next decade, with Natural Sciences Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 10,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
$60,997 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $46,531 and $78,104, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Atmospheric Sciences degree?
$41,472 in the first year out. That grows to $60,997 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Atmospheric Sciences degree?
Natural Sciences Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $167,220 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Atmospheric Sciences program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Atmospheric Sciences bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Atmospheric Sciences?
114 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Atmospheric Sciences degree worth it?
$60,997 median earnings four years out against $18,360 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Atmospheric Sciences and Physical Sciences?
Atmospheric Sciences is the narrower of the two: Physical Sciences covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Atmospheric Sciences-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Atmospheric Sciences graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Atmospheric Sciences graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Atmospheric Sciences graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Atmospheric Sciences graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +4.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Natural Sciences Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +8.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Physical Sciences Programs
Other programs in Physical Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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