Meteorologist

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Work Tasks

METEOROLOGISTS study the physical characteristics, motions and processes, and the way the atmosphere affects the rest of the environment. They study air pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind velocity, and use computer models of the world's atmosphere and various instruments, such as Doppler radar and satellite, to forecast the weather, and predict storms, blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, flash floods, etc. Weather information and meteorological research are also applied in air-pollution control, agriculture, air and sea transportation, defense, and the study of trends in the Earth's climate such as global warming, droughts, or ozone depletion.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $83,000 average per year ($40.00 per hour)
• A small occupation (8,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.5% per year)

Entry Requirements

A bachelor's degree with a major in meteorology or a closely related field with coursework in meteorology is generally the minimum requirement for a beginning job as a METEOROLOGIST. However, obtaining a graduate degree will increase the opportunities for advancement. A master's degree is usually necessary for conducting research and development, and a Ph.D. is required for most basic research positions. The American Meteorological Society offers professional certification of consulting meteorologists.