Weather forecasters: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Weather forecasters use computer and mathematical models to produce weather reports and short-term forecasts that can range from a few minutes to more than a week. They develop forecasts for the general public and for specific customers such as airports, water transportation, shippers, farmers, utility companies, insurance companies, and other businesses. For example, they may provide forecasts to power suppliers so that the suppliers can plan for events, such as heat waves, that would cause a change in electricity demand. They also issue advanced warnings for potentially severe weather, such as blizzards and hurricanes. Some forecasters prepare long-range outlooks to predict whether temperatures and precipitation levels will be above or below average in a particular month or season. These workers become familiar with general weather patterns, atmospheric predictability, precipitation, and forecasting techniques.
Some people with an atmospheric science background may become professors or postsecondary teachers.
- 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
- Forensic meteorologists
- Hurricane trackers
- Meteorologists
- Oceanographic meteorologists
- Research meteorologists
- Space scientists
- Storm chasers
- Tornado chasers
- Warning coordination meteorologists
- Weather analysts
- Weathermen