The Atmospheric Science concentration in the Environmental Sciences major introduces students to principles of weather, climate, meteorology, and air pollution. This focus area primarily prepares students for an atmospheric sciences graduate degree at the M.S. or Ph.D. level. It is also possible for a student to satisfy the course requirements for employment as a meteorologist in the National Weather Service with a BES degree. Graduates may work in research, forecasting, policy, education, environmental activism, or journalism. Many of the job titles listed below require an advanced degree or certificate.
Potential Career Areas:
- Research
- Education
- Forecasting
- Policy design/analysis
- Environmental protection
- Journalism
- Consulting
- Management
- Aviation
Sample Employers:
- Government offices and agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Research institutes
- Colleges and universities
- Schools
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Media organizations
- Consulting firms
- Airlines
- Energy companies
Sample Job Titles and National Salary Ranges:
| Job Title | Salary Range |
|
Atmospheric Scientist
|
$45,100 - $87,800
|
|
Meteorological Technician
|
$39,000 - $48,500
|
|
Atmospheric Sciences Instructor, Postsecondary
|
$44,000 - $82,800
|
|
Broadcast Meteorologist
|
$30,220 - $60,200
|
|
Forensic Meteorologist
|
$39,000 - $120,000
|
|
Aviation Meteorologist
|
$23,442 - $30,471
|
|
NOAA Corps Officer
|
$33,940 - $42,703
|
|
Climatologist
|
$39,090 - $119,700
|
|
Flight Service Station Specialist
|
$49,920 - $136,120
|
|
Physical Science Teacher, Secondary
|
$35,000 - $53,200
|
|
Environmental Protection Agency Special Agent
|
$17,803 - $42,647
|
|
Corporate Climate Strategist
|
$41,910 - $73,570
|
Sources of Information: United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010); DISCOVER (2011); Facts on File: Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center (2011).