How many meteorologists are in the united states

Meteorology is the science concerned with the Earth's atmosphere and its physical processes. A meteorologist is a physical scientist who observes, studies, or forecasts the weather. General Forecasters and Lead Forecasters are typically responsible for analyzing meteorological data from a variety of sources to prepare and issue forecast products, advisories, and warnings concerning a number of hazardous weather conditions, such as severe weather, high winds, flash floods, marine effects, and winter storms.

Meteorologists also collect data; provide weather advice and guidance to other federal, state, and local agencies; conduct research; and develop methods for integrating new science and technology into the forecast process. HMTs work alongside meteorologists to collect and analyze weather data. 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.

Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. What They Do 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.

Work Environment 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.

Pay The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Job Outlook 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.

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

On-the-job Training Additional training needed postemployment to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation. Entry-level Education Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education. Number of Jobs, The employment, or size, of this occupation in , which is the base year of the employment projections. Job Outlook, The projected percent change in employment from to Employment Change, The projected numeric change in employment from to Employment Change, projected The projected numeric change in employment from to Growth Rate Projected The percent change of employment for each occupation from to Projected Number of New Jobs The projected numeric change in employment from to Projected Growth Rate The projected percent change in employment from to Get data.

Computer Programmers. Bachelor's degree. Environmental Engineers. Environmental Scientists and Specialists. Private companies have developed computerized information systems to provide specialized weather data and displays.

Private sector meteorologists also provide local weather forecasts to many radio and television stations that do not employ their own meteorologists. Weather forecasting and observing at a few air force bases also is carried out by commercial companies on a contract basis. Complementing government research work, a number of private organizations, many of them small businesses, perform research.

Most of the larger corporations doing research centered around the atmospheric sciences advertise their capabilities in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society professional directory. Universities University meteorologists teach and work in atmospheric research programs. In addition to holding a faculty or teaching position, university and college professors often perform research, typically supported by government or foundation grants.

Over universities and colleges in the United States and Canada employ atmospheric scientists.