Meteorologist Job Description

Meteorologists perform many tasks involving the study of the earth's atmosphere and how various things affect the weather and climate. Not all television weather forecasters seen on the news or heard on the radio are professional meteorologists. Some just read and pass on information obtained from other weather sources that employ professional meteorologists, such as the National Weather Service.

Duties

Meteorologists study the formation of destructive natural forces, such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Meteorologists predict when natural disasters might occur and tell the public when to seek shelter. Meteorologists measure, record and analyze various data (such as wind speed and direction, temperature, rainfall, humidity) to make accurate assessments about the weather. Computer technology, radar systems and satellites aid them.

Character Traits

Meteorologists must have a general curiosity about the world and how it works. The job involves a lot of scientific research. They must be reliable sources of what weather conditions may be like on a particular day. Many industries depend upon forecasts made by meteorologists, including aviation, agriculture, public school systems and naval forces.

Types

Research meteorologists often work with oceanographers, hydrologists, chemists, biologists and computer modelers to study how other sciences interact with the atmosphere. These meteorologists work for research organizations. The most meteorologists are employed by the U.S. government. Many are part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), of which the National Weather Service is a part. The military, NASA, Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture also employ government meteorologists. Others work for television stations, private industries (consulting meteorologists) or universities (climatologists).

Education

While in high school, those interested in meteorology should plan to take physics, chemistry, Earth science, mathematics, computer science and maybe even a foreign language or two. Meteorologists have at least a bachelor degree in meteorology or atmospheric science. Many continue on to obtain degrees in physics, chemistry, mathematics and other subjects that are useful for weather-related research. Attending graduate school to obtain a master's or doctoral degree is essential for those who wish to go into atmospheric research and broaden their job opportunities.

Pay

Yearly salaries for meteorologists vary greatly. Annual salary depends upon the employer, field of meteorology, education and location of employment within the United States. According to PayScale.com, as of August 2009, beginning meteorologists usually made between $27,000 and $49,000 per year. After 10 to 19 years, the salary rose to about $48,000 to $89,000. Meteorologists living in cities that deal with a lot of adverse weather conditions receive higher pay.

References

• American Meteorological Society
• PayScale.com

Resources

• NASA - Atmospheric Science Data Center