What Does a Meteorologist Do?
Meteorologists study atmospheric conditions and processes to forecast weather, analyze climate patterns, and assess environmental risks. They use sophisticated computer models, satellite data, and observational networks to predict weather events. This role serves critical functions in public safety, aviation, agriculture, energy, and media broadcasting.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Broadcast Meteorologist, Forecaster, General Forecaster, Hydrometeorological Technician (Hydrometeorological Tech), Ocean Monitoring and Data Assimilation Scientist, Research Meteorologist, Service Hydrologist, Warning Coordination Meteorologist.
Meteorologist Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a meteorologist include:
- Analyze atmospheric data from weather stations, radar, satellites, and upper-air observations.
- Run and interpret numerical weather prediction models to generate forecasts.
- Issue weather warnings and advisories for severe events including storms, floods, and extreme temperatures.
- Prepare weather briefings for emergency management, aviation, and other weather-sensitive sectors.
- Conduct climate analysis and trend assessments using historical weather data.
- Communicate weather information clearly to public audiences through broadcasts or written reports.
- Calibrate and maintain weather observation instruments and data collection systems.
- Collaborate with research teams on projects to improve forecasting accuracy.
- Develop specialized forecasts for industries such as energy, agriculture, and transportation.
- Study long-term climate trends and their implications for local and regional planning.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a meteorologist, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Deep understanding of atmospheric physics and dynamics
- Proficiency with weather forecasting models and data analysis tools
- Experience interpreting radar, satellite imagery, and observational data
- Strong mathematical and statistical analysis skills
- Knowledge of climate science and long-term trend analysis
- Excellent communication skills for public-facing forecast delivery
- Programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or Fortran for data processing
- Ability to make critical decisions under time pressure during severe weather events
Education and Training
Meteorologist positions require a bachelor's degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or a closely related field with substantial coursework in physics and mathematics. The National Weather Service and many private sector employers follow the guidelines established by the American Meteorological Society, which recommend coursework in dynamic meteorology, synoptic meteorology, physical meteorology, and atmospheric thermodynamics. A master's degree or Ph.D. is typically required for research positions and climate science roles. The Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) and Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) credentials from the American Meteorological Society are valued professional designations. Strong mathematical preparation including calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra is essential.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $73,350 - $129,960 per year, with a median of $99,070.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Atmospheric and Space Scientists.
Meteorology careers are evolving as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, heightening the need for accurate forecasting. The National Weather Service, private weather companies, and media organizations continue to hire meteorologists, while growing demand exists in renewable energy forecasting, insurance risk assessment, and climate consulting. Advances in machine learning and AI-enhanced forecasting models are transforming the field and creating opportunities for meteorologists with computational skills. The increasing importance of climate risk assessment for business planning and infrastructure resilience is expanding the consulting market for atmospheric scientists.
Meteorologist Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $53,060 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $73,350 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $99,070 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $129,960 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $161,890 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as atmospheric and space scientists about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 90% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 90% use email every day
- 80% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 79% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 75% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 60% are on the phone every day
- 45% work against deadlines every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 60% |
| Master's degree | 20% |
| Doctoral degree | 15% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5% |
Tools and Software Meteorologists Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy analyzing problems and working with ideas as well as hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Science, Critical Thinking, Active Learning.
Knowledge areas used most: Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Computers and Electronics, English Language.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 4 of 5, which means considerable preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Meteorologist Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 19-2021.00 (Atmospheric and Space Scientists). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.