Salary of an On-Camera Meteorologist
Meteorologists who reveal an on-camera glimpse of the upcoming weather are sometimes informally called “weather persons” or, more formally, “atmospheric scientists.” These trained television professionals use science and technology to predict weather patterns. As of a May 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics employment report, the top four states for meteorologist employment also had salaries within the top five states.
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Weather Watch
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The country was home to approximately 8,640 meteorologists, earning midrange salaries of $87,780 annually. According to the Occupational Employment and Wages report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2010, the range for meteorologist salaries was at $45,050 in the 10th percentile up to $132,130 in the 90th percentile.
Split State Salaries
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States with the highest salaries for meteorologists were all over the map at the time of the bureau’s survey. Maryland was far out front with the highest wages of $114,650, with second-place New Jersey having statewide annual wages of $107,840. Colorado’s meteorologists earned third-highest wages, at $99,510, with California in fourth place, where meteorologists took in $98,130. Texas closed out the top five with rates of $95,320.
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Where’s the Weather
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Colorado was No. 1 on the bureau’s list of states with the highest level of employment for meteorologists, and it paid the country’s third-highest salary for the profession. Texas, with the fifth-highest salary, had the second-highest level of employment. California took third place for the highest employment level among the states, as well as fourth place for highest salary. Maryland, in the top spot for the highest meteorologist salaries, claimed the fourth-highest employment level. Only Massachusetts, with a below-average wage of $81,860 and fifth-place employment level, didn’t beat the national rate out of the top-five employment level states.
On and Off Camera
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The radio and television broadcasting industry employed the fifth-largest contingent of meteorologists, but paid them a below-average annual wage of $82,790. The most meteorologists were employed by the federal executive branch of the government, which also paid the fourth-highest salaries in the industry, at $95,760. The highest salaries went to meteorologists employed in the navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing industry, with wages at $147,370.
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References
- Photo Credit SW Productions/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
