Also called: Air Chemistry Scientist
Studies the chemistry of the air, from ozone and smog to the tiny particles that seed clouds.
You fly instruments on a research plane through wildfire smoke, then analyze what chemicals it contains and how they change. Your findings shape air-quality rules and climate models.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in atmospheric science or chemistry.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Atmospheric Science, Chemistry.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). Atmospheric scientists overall.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI helps analyze samples, but flying instruments through smoke and lab chemistry stay human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.