Post job

Air pollution specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an air pollution specialist. Air pollution specialists usually study environmental science, chemistry, or electrical engineering. 61% of air pollution specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 39 real air pollution specialist resumes to see exactly what air pollution specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for air pollution specialists are the Missouri State University and the Missouri State University.

There are also many online air pollution specialist courses to help get the education required to be an air pollution specialist.

What education do you need to become an air pollution specialist?

What degree do you need to be an air pollution specialist?

The most common degree for air pollution specialists is bachelor's degree, with 61% of air pollution specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 17% and associate degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 61%
  • Associate, 17%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Doctorate, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an air pollution specialist?

You should major in environmental science to become an air pollution specialist. 17% of air pollution specialists major in environmental science. Other common majors for an air pollution specialist include chemistry and electrical engineering.

Most common colleges for air pollution specialists

Air pollution specialists often get their degrees at Missouri State University, University of Dayton, and Eastern Michigan University. Here are the most common colleges for air pollution specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Air pollution specialist common collegePercentages
Missouri State University9.52%
University of Dayton4.76%
Eastern Michigan University4.76%
Western Washington University4.76%
Stanford University4.76%

Best majors for air pollution specialists

Best colleges for air pollution specialists

The best colleges for air pollution specialists are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

An air pollution specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for air pollution specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become air pollution specialists.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

8. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

10. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

20 best online courses for air pollution specialists

Advertising disclosure

1. Air Pollution – a Global Threat to our Health

coursera

We all have to breathe to live. But the air we breathe is polluted both outdoors and indoors. Each year, this pollution costs 7 million lives across the globe – and a lot of suffering. 1 in 8 deaths is due to air pollution. This course will provide you with an introduction to the most recent research in the field of health effects of air pollution as well as a broader understanding of sources and spread of air pollution and what we should do about it. What is air pollution? What are the...

2. Introduction to Indoor Air Quality

coursera

Course Overview: https://youtu.be/LLVb4FOn4uU This course provides a basic knowledge of an emerging area – Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in buildings. Learners will realize the importance of maintaining proper IAQ. Characteristics associated with indoor air contaminants (IAC) are demonstrated, such as • Particulate matters (PM2.5, PM10) • Radon • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) • Asbestos • Bio-aerosols, and more Safe exposure levels, resulting health effects, measurement techniques, mitigate and...

3. Air Dispersion Modeling for Environmental Management

udemy
4.4
(267)

Environmental management with AERMOD Air Pollution Model by EPA...

4. Global Air Logistics Management in Supply Chain Management

udemy
4.7
(496)

2021 Air Logistics Management, Logistics Document, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Supply Chain Costing...

5. Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health

coursera

In this specialization, you will explore how many public health outcomes are directly influenced by human contact with the environment. The four courses in this series will introduce you to the environmental health sciences (EHS) discipline; you'll examine the hazards of air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, radon, and noise; identify the major challenges posed by climate change and unsustainable practices; and use risk assessment to evaluate the health of population,...

6. The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health

coursera

The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health provides an engaging overview of the incredible accomplishments and promise of the public health field. The first module includes interviews with legendary public health figures whose work led to millions of lives saved with vaccines, air bags and car seats, and the federal Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The second module brings key public health tools to life -- including use of data, communications, and policy - through...

7. Air Insulated Electrical Substation Design

udemy
4.5
(437)

This course will give you a great appreciation of Air Insulated Substations and how all of the equipments fit together...

8. HVAC Psychrometry, Air Handling System and Duct Selection

udemy
4.5
(517)

Build your knowledge systematically, from building cooling load estimation, to sizing and selection of AHU and ductings...

9. Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions

coursera

More than half of world’s population lives in cities while only 5% did so in the 18th century. The rapid urbanisation has resulted in for example inadequate infrastructure, physical inactivity, gentrification, air pollution, and growing numbers of slum dwellers. All factors challenging health and wellbeing of the people living in the cities. In addition, when addressing climate change it has become of paramount importance to look at mitigation and adaptation investments tailored to the urban...

10. Refrigeration & Air conditioning - Design and calculation

udemy
4.4
(285)

Refrigeration and HVAC fundamentals, design and calculation for commercial and industrial application...

11. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring

udemy
4.4
(1,188)

Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...

12. Project Schedule: Monitor & Control Specialist (Accredited)

udemy
4.6
(515)

Schedule Management: Monitor & Control Schedule, Analyze Schedule, Solve Project Schedule Problems Earn CPDs & PDUs...

13. Privacy and Data Protection, Certified GDPR Compliance

udemy
4.4
(493)

From theory to practice (junior and less than 1 year experience level)...

14. Cloud Security Course: Cloud Compliance, Audits,Legal issues

udemy
4.4
(309)

For CCSK and CCSP Aspirants - Cloud Agreements/Contracts, Legal and Compliance Concepts...

15. Build Powerful Compliance Programs & Prevent Corporate Fraud

udemy
4.4
(289)

Learn everything you need to know to build an effective and powerful compliance culture and prevent corporate fraud...

16. Data Quality Fundamentals

udemy
4.2
(557)

Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...

17. Six Sigma Black Belt: Certified QFD Specialist (Accredited)

udemy
4.6
(748)

Use QFD to Convert Customer Needs to Requirements Achieve QFD Specialist Certification Earn PDUs CPDs CEUs...

18. Compliance Training for Employees

udemy
4.6
(5,050)

Compliance: a simple, comprehensive and effective way to protect your company!...

19. Pareto Analysis Masterclass: Pareto Specialist (Accredited)

udemy
4.6
(265)

What is Pareto Analysis? When to use Pareto Analysis? Create Pareto Analysis in Excel 2016? 80:20 Rule? Earn PDUs CPDs...

20. Cost of Quality Analysis and Reporting using Microsoft Excel

udemy
4.4
(533)

Expertly collect, analyze and present quality cost data (using Microsoft Excel) to help drive continual improvement...

Top 10 most affordable universities for air pollution specialists

The most affordable schools for air pollution specialists are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and hunter college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for air pollution specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for air pollution specialists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

4. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

5. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

10. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for air pollution specialists

The hardest universities for air pollution specialists to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for air pollution specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for air pollution specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

8. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for air pollution specialists

The easiest schools for air pollution specialists to get into are D'Youville College, university of the incarnate word, and oregon institute of technology.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an air pollution specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for air pollution specialists.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

4. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

5. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

7. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

8. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

9. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

10. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

Average air pollution specialist salary by education level

According to our data, air pollution specialists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $80,578 annually. Air pollution specialists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $70,658.
Air pollution specialist education levelAir pollution specialist salary
Master's Degree$80,578
Bachelor's Degree$70,658

Air pollution specialist education FAQs

Search for air pollution specialist jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs