Careers / Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Atmospheric and Space Scientists — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$99,070
United States, 2025
Employment
10,000
United States, 2025
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone 4
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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.
- O*NET code
- 19-2021.00
- Job zone
- 4
- Experience required
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Typical tasks
- Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
- Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.
- Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate.
- Design or develop new equipment or methods for meteorological data collection, remote sensing, or related applications.
- Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.
- Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media.
- Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups.
- Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$53,060
25th percentile
$73,350
75th percentile
$129,960
90th percentile
$161,890
Most important skills
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Writing3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Mathematics3.4
- Learning Strategies3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 17 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
17
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Science | 4.0 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Speaking | 4.0 | 4.4 | Not selected | 4.4 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | 4.3 | Not selected | 4.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Writing | 3.9 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.4 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Instructing | 3.0 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Atmospheric and Space ScientistsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $151,000 | 30 | 2025 |
| Albany, NY | $134,060 | 70 | 2025 |
| Chicago, IL | $133,490 | 50 | 2025 |
| MD | $128,800 | 750 | 2025 |
| Baltimore, MD | $128,800 | 270 | 2025 |
| New York, NY | $128,790 | 260 | 2025 |
| Detroit, MI | $127,070 | 40 | 2025 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $125,590 | 30 | 2025 |
| CA | $124,920 | 510 | 2025 |
| Boise City, ID | $122,930 | 30 | 2025 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $122,880 | 70 | 2025 |
| Miami, FL | $122,700 | 110 | 2025 |
| Tampa, FL | $122,280 | 30 | 2025 |
| Boulder, CO | $121,870 | 620 | 2025 |
| HI | $121,010 | 70 | 2025 |
| San Diego, CA | $120,370 | 50 | 2025 |
| NJ | $120,180 | 60 | 2025 |
| ID | $119,430 | 50 | 2025 |
| Kansas City, MO | $117,810 | 100 | 2025 |
| Washington, DC | $117,600 | 700 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Atmospheric and Space Scientists to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.