Meteorologists
Overview
Introduction
Meteorologists, or atmospheric scientists, study weather conditions and forecast weather changes. By analyzing weather maps covering large geographic areas and related charts, like upper-air maps and soundings, they can predict the movement of fronts, precipitation, and pressure areas. They forecast such data as temperature, winds, precipitation, cloud cover, and flying conditions. To predict future weather patterns and to develop increased accuracy in weather study and forecasting, meteorologists conduct research on such s...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Meteorologists employed in the U.S. in February 2020 earned a median salary of $97,191, according to Salary.com. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists, earned median annual earnings of $94,110 in May 2018. Salaries ranged from less than $50,040 to more than $142,500. The average salary for meteorologists employed by the federal government was...
Work Environment
Weather stations operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week. This means that some meteorologists, often on a rotating basis, work evenings and weekends. Although most of these weather stations are at airports located near cities, a number of weather stations are located in isolated and remote areas. One of the most remote meteorological posts is in the Antarctic. However, it provides some of the...
Outlook
Employment for atmospheric scientists should grow faster than the average for all careers through 2028, by about 8 percent, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Competition will be keen, however, and meteorologists with advanced degrees will have better opportunities to find work. Few employment opportunities are expected in the federal government, such as at the National We...
