How long does a meteorologist work

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply. The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you. Call or use webchat. Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service. Tell us whether you accept cookies We use cookies to collect information about how you use the National Careers Service. Set cookie preferences. There is a problem. How to become Explore the different ways to get into this role. How to become a meteorologist You can get into this job through: a university course training with a professional body University You'll usually need a degree in meteorology or a related subject like: physics maths environmental studies geography computer science You might need a postgraduate qualification in meteorology or climatology if you want to do research.

Career tips You can do a short work placement to find out more about meteorology as a career, if you're aged between 14 and Further information You can learn more about becoming a meteorologist from the Met Office and the Royal Meteorological Society. What it takes Skills and knowledge You'll need: maths knowledge knowledge of geography knowledge of physics analytical thinking skills excellent verbal communication skills the ability to work well with others to be thorough and pay attention to detail excellent written communication skills to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently.

We must address many complicated issues and answer many difficult questions about the behavior of the atmosphere and its effects on the people of our planet. Many meteorologists have degrees in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and other fields. The broader term "atmospheric science" often is used to describe the combination of meteorology and other branches of physical science that are involved in studying the atmosphere.

Interested in learning more about different job sectors in meteorology and related fields? Watch our videos as members of the weather, water, and climate community discuss their work experiences and share job tips and advice. Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself if you are considering a career in meteorology:. This should maintain, and perhaps increase, the need for atmospheric scientists working in private industry as businesses demand more specialized weather information. Businesses increasingly rely on just-in-time delivery to avoid the expenses incurred by traditional inventory management methods.

Severe weather can interrupt ground or air transportation and delay inventory delivery. Businesses have begun to maintain forecasting teams around the clock to advise delivery personnel, and this availability helps them stay on schedule. In addition, severe weather patterns have become widely recognizable, and industries have become increasingly concerned about their impact, which will create demand for work in atmospheric science.

As utility companies continue to adopt wind and solar power, they must depend more heavily on weather forecasting to arrange for buying and selling power. This should lead to increased reliance on atmospheric scientists employed in firms in professional, scientific, and technical services to help utilities know when they can sell their excess power, and when they will need to buy. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.

The link s below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. All state projections data are available at www. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area.

There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists. Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health.

Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems. Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. For more information about atmospheric scientists, including a list of colleges and universities offering atmospheric science programs, visit.

American Meteorological Society. For a broad range of information concerning atmospheric scientists within the geosciences perspective, visit.

American Geosciences Institute. For more information about federal government education requirements for atmospheric science positions, visit. Office of Personnel Management. For more information about federal government atmospheric science careers in the National Weather Service and other agencies within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, visit. Atmospheric and Space Scientists. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. Last Modified Date: Wednesday, September 8, The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised.

This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties. The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face. The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation.

This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation. The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area.

For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile. The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation.

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Additional training needed postemployment to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education. The employment, or size, of this occupation in , which is the base year of the employment projections.

The projected percent change in employment from to The average growth rate for all occupations is 8 percent. Menu Search button Search:. Summary Please enable javascript to play this video. What Atmospheric Scientists, Including Meteorologists Do About this section Research meteorologists study atmospheric phenomena such as lightning. Work Environment About this section Many atmospheric scientists work at weather stations located throughout the country.

How to Become an Atmospheric Scientist About this section Atmospheric scientists issue warnings for severe weather. Job Outlook About this section Atmospheric Scientists, Including Meteorologists Percent change in employment, projected Atmospheric and space scientists. Atmospheric and space scientists Projections Central Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information LMI or individual state Employment Projections offices.

CareerOneStop CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. Similar Occupations About this section This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists. Contacts for More Information About this section For more information about atmospheric scientists, including a list of colleges and universities offering atmospheric science programs, visit American Meteorological Society For a broad range of information concerning atmospheric scientists within the geosciences perspective, visit American Geosciences Institute For more information about atmospheric science careers in research, visit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research UCAR For more information about federal government education requirements for atmospheric science positions, visit U.