Atmospheric and Space Scientists Career, Salary and Skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $99,070 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 10,000. Wage data is published for 102 locations.
Occupation description
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
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$99,070
Hourly median
$47.63
Employment
10,000
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.12 | 4.88 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Active Learning | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Science | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Writing | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Mathematics | 3.38 | 4.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
Technology
- AccuWeather Galileo
- Adobe Photoshop
- Advanced Visual Systems AVS/Express
- Air quality modeling software
- Aninoquisi MesoTRAC
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Baron Services FasTrac
- Baron Volumetric Imaging and Processing of Integrated Radar VIPIR
- C++
- Cave5D
- Cisco IOS
- Environmental Research Services RAOB
- ESRI ArcInfo
- ESRI ArcView
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in COMedian $104,670 · Employment 1,150
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in MDMedian $128,800 · Employment 750
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in TXMedian $84,990 · Employment 720
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in Washington, DCMedian $117,600 · Employment 700
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in Boulder, COMedian $121,870 · Employment 620
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in CAMedian $124,920 · Employment 510
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in OKMedian $76,480 · Employment 420
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in NYMedian $117,540 · Employment 370
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in VAMedian $83,880 · Employment 350
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in ALMedian $81,080 · Employment 340
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in WIMedian $85,870 · Employment 280
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in Baltimore, MDMedian $128,800 · Employment 270
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.