Forensic meteorologists: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Forensic meteorologists use historical weather data to reconstruct the weather conditions for a specific location and time. They investigate what role weather played in unusual events such as traffic accidents and fires. Forensic meteorologists may be called as experts to testify in court.
- Education Required
- Atmospheric scientists typically need a bachelors degree, either in atmospheric science or a related scientific field that specifically studies atmospheric qualities and phenomena. Bachelors degrees in physics, chemistry, or geology are usually adequate, alternative preparation for those who wish to enter the atmospheric sciences. Prospective meteorologists usually take courses outside of the typical atmospheric sciences field.
- Training Required
- Atmospheric scientists and meteorologists who find employment in the National Weather Service will need to take training when they begin employment to be able to use equipment needed to issue warnings of severe weather.
- Job Outlook
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The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 12% (Faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Median pay: How much do Atmospheric Scientists, Including Meteorologists make?
- $92,460 Annual Salary
- $44.45 per hour
Careers for Atmospheric Scientists, Including Meteorologists
- Atmospheric chemists
- Atmospheric physicists and dynamists
- Atmospheric scientists
- Broadcast meteorologists
- Climate scientists
- Climatologists
- Hurricane trackers
- Meteorologists
- Oceanographic meteorologists
- Research meteorologists
- Space scientists
- Storm chasers
- Tornado chasers
- Warning coordination meteorologists
- Weather analysts
- Weather forecasters
- Weathermen