1 | Career Snapshot (2024–25 U.S.)
- What they do: Meteorologists study the atmosphere to understand weather, climate, and air quality. They develop forecasts, issue warnings, and model long-term climate patterns to protect life and property.
- Median annual pay (May 2023): $94,570
- Employment, 2023: ≈ 9,200
- Projected growth, 2022–32: +4% (steady demand, with surges during extreme climate events)
- Average openings/year: ≈ 700
Why demand is rising: Climate change, extreme weather events, and the need for accurate forecasts for aviation, agriculture, defense, and disaster management.
2 | Core Responsibilities
3 | Where They Work
- Government Agencies: National Weather Service (NWS), NOAA, NASA, Air Force Weather Agency
- Private Sector: AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, IBM’s The Weather Company, energy firms, airlines, agriculture tech firms
- Media: Local and national news outlets
- Research & Academia: Universities, national labs, climate research centers
- NGOs & International Orgs: World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Red Cross disaster preparedness programs
4 | Salary Ladder (2025)
5 | Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or Physics: Required baseline
- Master’s: Often required for research or specialized roles (e.g., climate modeling)
- Ph.D.: Needed for academic and top-level research positions
- Certifications: AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM), National Weather Association Seals of Approval
6 | Core Competencies
- Atmospheric dynamics & physics
- Radar and satellite interpretation
- Climate modeling & data visualization
- Programming (Python, R, Fortran for weather models)
- Communication & public engagement
7 | Key Trends (2025–2030)
- AI Forecasting: Neural networks and ML tools improving weather prediction accuracy
- Extreme Weather Events: Rising demand for risk modeling due to hurricanes, tornadoes, and droughts
- Climate Services: Long-range forecasting for agriculture, insurance, and infrastructure planning
- Renewable Energy Integration: Forecasting wind and solar patterns for grid reliability
- Space Weather: Growing demand to predict solar storms that disrupt satellites and power grids
8 | Potential Hiring Companies & Organizations
- Government: NOAA, National Weather Service, NASA, Department of Defense
- Private Sector: AccuWeather, IBM’s The Weather Company, DTN, Spire Global
- Airlines & Logistics: Delta, FedEx, UPS (aviation weather forecasting)
- Energy & Utilities: NextEra Energy, BP, Duke Energy (renewable integration)
- Media & Broadcasting: CNN, NBC, local TV networks
- International: World Meteorological Organization, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
9 | Pivot Pathways
10 | Burnout Buffer
- Rotate between broadcast, research, and applied forecasting roles
- Focus on purpose-driven work such as disaster prevention and climate change mitigation
- Balance high-stress storm seasons with research or consulting cycles
11 | Is This Career Path Right for You?
Meteorology is a great fit if you’re fascinated by the weather, climate, and how atmospheric forces affect daily life. It’s rewarding but can be high-pressure during storms or disasters.
👉 Find out free: Take the MAPP Career Assessment at Assessment.com to see if your motivations align with atmospheric science careers.
