Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC Code: 25-1051.00
Education & LibraryAtmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers at the postsecondary level educate students in the physical sciences that study our planet and universe—meteorology, geology, oceanography, paleontology, hydrology, geophysics, planetary science, and environmental science. With a median salary around $101,390 and 2.6% projected growth, these professor-scientists balance active research programs with undergraduate and graduate instruction, training the next generation of scientists who will study climate change, natural hazards, ocean dynamics, planetary exploration, and Earth's geological evolution.
Salary Overview
Median
$101,390
25th Percentile
$66,620
75th Percentile
$135,500
90th Percentile
$199,260
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+2.6%
New Openings
1,000
Outlook
Slower than average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- 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.
- Supervise laboratory work and field work.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Master's Degree
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A Day in the Life
A geology professor might start the day with an undergraduate physical geology lecture, using rocks, minerals, and animations to explain plate tectonics and mountain building processes. Mid-morning is spent in the research lab mentoring a graduate student analyzing sediment core samples from Arctic fieldwork. An oceanography professor might teach a graduate seminar on ocean-atmosphere interactions, facilitating discussion of recent research papers on El Niño dynamics. Afternoon research time involves analyzing satellite altimetry data, writing grant proposals, or revising a manuscript for a peer-reviewed journal. A planetary science professor might spend the evening reviewing data transmitted from a Mars rover, collaborating with NASA mission scientists to plan the next sol's activities. Field-based courses are a distinctive feature—leading students to geological outcrops, weather stations, research vessels, and observatory facilities provides hands-on experience impossible to replicate in classroom settings.
Work Environment
These faculty work in university departments that blend traditional academic office and classroom environments with distinctive field and laboratory facilities—rock and mineral collections, weather stations, seismograph networks, sediment core repositories, research vessels, and analytical instrument laboratories. Fieldwork is a defining characteristic, taking professors and students to volcanoes, glaciers, ocean research cruises, desert exposures, mountain ranges, and polar research stations. This field component makes earth sciences uniquely experiential compared to many academic disciplines. The academic calendar provides structured semesters with concentrated research periods during summers and sabbaticals. Conference travel to AGU (American Geophysical Union), GSA (Geological Society of America), and AMS (American Meteorological Society) meetings provides annual professional networking and collaboration opportunities. Many faculty maintain collaborations spanning continents.
Career Path & Advancement
A Ph.D. in the relevant earth or atmospheric science discipline is required, typically taking 5-7 years after a bachelor's degree and involving original research, often including field-based data collection. Post-doctoral research positions (1-3 appointments of 2-4 years) build publication records and establish research independence. The tenure-track path progresses from assistant professor through associate professor with tenure to full professor, evaluated on research productivity (publications, grants), teaching effectiveness, and service contributions. Alternative academic careers include research scientist positions at government laboratories (USGS, NOAA, NASA, national labs), state geological surveys, and university research institutions. Some faculty pursue administrative leadership as department chairs, center directors, or deans. The interdisciplinary nature of earth sciences creates opportunities at the boundaries of traditional departments.
Specializations
Faculty specialize across the breadth of earth and atmospheric sciences. Atmospheric scientists study weather dynamics, climate modeling, and atmospheric chemistry. Geologists specialize in structural geology, petrology, sedimentology, geomorphology, or economic geology. Paleontologists study fossil records to understand ancient life and Earth history. Oceanographers investigate physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects of the oceans. Geophysicists use seismology, gravity, and electromagnetic methods to probe Earth's interior. Hydrologists study water resources and their movement through Earth's systems. Planetary scientists research other planets, moons, and solar system bodies using spacecraft data and laboratory analysis. Climate scientists study past, present, and future climate using observations, paleoclimate proxies, and numerical models. Environmental scientists study human impacts on natural systems and develop mitigation strategies.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Studying and teaching about Earth's most fascinating phenomena—volcanoes, oceans, weather, fossils, and planetary surfaces
- ✓Field research opportunities in spectacular natural environments from glaciers to tropical reefs to active volcanoes
- ✓Strong median salary around $101,390 with comprehensive university benefits and retirement
- ✓Growing societal relevance as climate change, natural hazards, and resource management demand earth science expertise
- ✓Academic freedom to pursue research questions of genuine intellectual interest and societal importance
- ✓The privilege of mentoring students who will become the next generation of earth and environmental scientists
- ✓Well-funded research landscape with support from NSF, NOAA, NASA, DOE, and other federal agencies
Challenges
- ✗Competitive academic job market with limited tenure-track positions relative to qualified graduates
- ✗Field research can involve physical hardship—remote locations, extreme weather, altitude, and strenuous conditions
- ✗Grant writing pressure to secure research funding competes with teaching and mentoring responsibilities
- ✗Geographic constraints when limited positions require relocating to wherever faculty openings exist
- ✗Balancing research, teaching, advising, and administrative service responsibilities creates chronic overcommitment
- ✗Tenure timeline of 5-7 years creates prolonged career uncertainty during early academic career
- ✗Publication pressure in competitive journals while maintaining teaching quality demands sustained high output
Industry Insight
Earth and atmospheric sciences education is being reshaped by the urgency of climate change, which has elevated public interest and student enrollment in climate-related courses. Universities are expanding climate science programs, creating interdisciplinary centers, and hiring faculty who can bridge physical science and policy. Remote sensing technology—satellite imagery, LiDAR, drone-based surveys—is transforming data collection and creating demand for faculty skilled in geospatial analysis. Computational modeling is increasingly central across all earth science disciplines, requiring faculty to integrate coding and data science into curricula. The challenge of diversifying earth sciences—historically among the least diverse STEM fields—is driving hiring priorities and outreach program development. Natural hazards research (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, extreme weather) maintains consistent public and governmental funding support.
How to Break Into This Career
Aspiring earth science faculty should pursue rigorous undergraduate programs in geology, atmospheric science, oceanography, or physics, building strong quantitative skills in mathematics and computational methods. Undergraduate research experience—through REU programs, thesis projects, or faculty lab participation—is essential for competitive graduate school admission. Field course and field camp experience demonstrates commitment to hands-on earth science. Graduate students should prioritize developing a productive publication record, establishing an independent research identity, and building a teaching portfolio. Post-doctoral positions should be chosen strategically to complement dissertation research and broaden methodological expertise. Networking at major conferences, participating in professional society committees, and building collaborative research relationships creates visibility among hiring committees. Demonstrated ability to secure external research funding, even at the graduate level through NSF GRFP or similar programs, signals future grant-writing success.
Career Pivot Tips
Earth and atmospheric science faculty possess exceptional research skills, quantitative expertise, field experience, and science communication abilities that transfer to numerous sectors. Environmental consulting firms hire earth scientists for site assessments, remediation projects, and regulatory compliance work. Energy companies—both fossil fuel and renewable—employ geologists, geophysicists, and atmospheric scientists for resource exploration, site assessment, and environmental impact analysis. Government agencies (USGS, NOAA, EPA, NASA) offer research and management positions. Science policy positions at agencies, think tanks, and congressional offices value the ability to translate complex science for decision-makers. Science communication careers in journalism, museum education, and documentary production leverage the storytelling skills developed through years of teaching and public outreach. Data science transitions are accessible given the computational proficiency most earth scientists develop. Climate risk analysis positions are growing rapidly in financial services, insurance, and corporate sustainability departments.
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