Atmospheric and Space Scientists
What Atmospheric and Space Scientists Do
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.
See full salary breakdown & percentiles →
Career Outlook
National employment outlook, 2024–2034.
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Self-employed
- Not available
Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.
How Much Preparation Does This Take?
Job Zone 4 of 5Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Job training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Source: O*NET Job Zones.
Key Knowledge Areas
Subject-matter areas this occupation draws on most, per O*NET.
- Mathematicsimportance 4.4/5
- Physicsimportance 4.4/5
- Geographyimportance 4.4/5
- Computers and Electronicsimportance 4.2/5
- English Languageimportance 3.8/5
- Communications and Mediaimportance 3.2/5
- Customer and Personal Serviceimportance 3.0/5
- Chemistryimportance 3.0/5
Work Environment
What the day-to-day work setting is like, per O*NET.
- E-Mail4.9/5
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams4.6/5
- Spend Time Sitting4.4/5
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.4/5
- Telephone Conversations4.3/5
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team4.0/5
Related Careers
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 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.
Where This Career Is Most Concentrated
Metro areas where atmospheric and space scientists make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).
- 1Boulder, CO50.38× national avg
- 2Fort Collins-Loveland, CO22.99× national avg
- 3Anchorage, AK22.57× national avg
- 4Rapid City, SD12.28× national avg
- 5Huntsville, AL10.49× national avg
Related Education Programs
Schools that offer related fields of study, based on the NCES CIP-SOC crosswalk — not a guarantee that graduates enter this specific career.
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (University Park, PA)grads earn ~$69,083
- University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus (Norman, OK)grads earn ~$63,104
- Pennsylvania State University-World Campus (University Park, PA)
- University of Missouri-Columbia (Columbia, MO)grads earn ~$55,790
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA)grads earn ~$67,892