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Atmospheric Scientists
Significant Points
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About 37 percent of atmospheric scientists are
employed by the Federal Government; most of these work
in the National Weather Service.
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A bachelor’s degree in meteorology, or in a closely
related field with courses in meteorology, is the
minimum educational requirement; a master’s degree is
necessary for some positions, and a Ph.D. degree is
required for most basic research positions.
-
Atmospheric scientists should have favorable job
prospects, but opportunities as weather broadcasters are
rare and highly competitive.
Atmospheric science is the study of the atmosphere—the
blanket of air covering the Earth. Atmospheric scientists,
commonly called meteorologists, study the
atmosphere’s physical characteristics, motions, and
processes, and the way in which these factors affect the
rest of our environment. The best known application of this
knowledge is forecasting the weather. In addition to
predicting the weather, atmospheric scientists attempt to
identify and interpret climate trends, understand past
weather, and analyze today’s weather. Weather information
and meteorological research are also applied in
air-pollution control, agriculture, forestry, air and sea
transportation, defense, and the study of possible trends in
the Earth’s climate, such as global warming, droughts, and
ozone depletion.
Atmospheric scientists who forecast the weather are known
as operational meteorologists; they are the largest
group of specialists. These scientists study the Earth’s air
pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind velocity, and they
apply physical and mathematical relationships to make
short-range and long-range weather forecasts. Their data
come from weather satellites, radars, sensors, and stations
in many parts of the world. Meteorologists use sophisticated
computer models of the world’s atmosphere to make long-term,
short-term, and local-area forecasts. More accurate
instruments for measuring and observing weather conditions,
as well as high-speed computers to process and analyze
weather data, have revolutionized weather forecasting. Using
satellite data, climate theory, and sophisticated computer
models of the world’s atmosphere, meteorologists can more
effectively interpret the results of these models to make
local-area weather predictions. These forecasts inform not
only the general public, but also those who need accurate
weather information for both economic and safety reasons,
such as the shipping, air transportation, agriculture,
fishing, forestry, and utilities industries.
The use of weather balloons, launched a few times a day
to measure wind, temperature, and humidity in the upper
atmosphere, is currently supplemented by sophisticated
atmospheric satellite monitoring equipment that transmits
data as frequently as every few minutes. Doppler radar, for
example, can detect airflow patterns in violent storm
systems, allowing forecasters to better predict
thunderstorms, flash floods, tornadoes, and other hazardous
winds, and to monitor the direction and intensity of storms.
Some atmospheric scientists work in research. Physical
meteorologists, for example, study the atmosphere’s
chemical and physical properties; the transmission of light,
sound, and radio waves; and the transfer of energy in the
atmosphere. They also study factors affecting the formation
of clouds, rain, and snow; the dispersal of air pollutants
over urban areas; and other weather phenomena, such as the
mechanics of severe storms. Synoptic meteorologists
develop new tools for weather forecasting using computers
and sophisticated mathematical models of atmospheric
activity. Climatologists study climactic variations
spanning hundreds or even millions of years. They also may
collect, analyze, and interpret past records of wind,
rainfall, sunshine, and temperature in specific areas or
regions. Their studies are used to design buildings, plan
heating and cooling systems, and aid in effective land use
and agricultural production. Environmental problems, such as
pollution and shortages of fresh water, have widened the
scope of the meteorological profession. Environmental
meteorologists study these problems and may evaluate and
report on air quality for environmental impact statements.
Other research meteorologists examine the most effective
ways to control or diminish air pollution.
Work environment. Weather stations are
found everywhere—at airports, in or near cities, and in
isolated and remote areas. Some atmospheric scientists also
spend time observing weather conditions and collecting data
from aircraft. Weather forecasters who work for radio or
television stations broadcast their reports from station
studios, and may work evenings and weekends. Meteorologists
in smaller weather offices often work alone; in larger ones,
they work as part of a team. Those who work for private
consulting firms or for companies analyzing and monitoring
emissions to improve air quality usually work with other
scientists or engineers; fieldwork and travel may be common
for these workers.
Most weather stations operate around the clock, 7 days a
week. Jobs in such facilities usually involve night,
weekend, and holiday work, often with rotating shifts.
During weather emergencies, such as hurricanes,
meteorologists may work overtime. Operational meteorologists
also are often under pressure to meet forecast deadlines.
Meteorologists who are not involved in forecasting tasks
work regular hours, usually in offices.
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Training, Other
Qualifications, and Advancement
Educational
Opportunities (Online Degrees and Certificates)
A
bachelor’s degree in meteorology or atmospheric
science, or in a closely related field with courses in
meteorology, usually is the minimum educational requirement
for an entry-level position as an atmospheric scientist. A
master’s degree is necessary for some positions, and a Ph.D.
degree is required for most basic research positions.
Education and training. The preferred
educational requirement for entry-level meteorologists in
the Federal Government is a bachelor’s degree—not
necessarily in meteorology—with at least 24 semester hours
of meteorology/atmospheric science courses, including 6
hours in the analysis and prediction of weather systems, 6
hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, 3 hours of
physical meteorology, and 2 hours of remote sensing of the
atmosphere or instrumentation. Other required courses
include 3 semester hours of ordinary differential equations,
6 hours of college physics, and at least 9 hours of courses
appropriate for a physical science major—such as statistics,
chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology,
physical hydrology, radiative transfer, aeronomy (the study
of the upper atmosphere), advanced thermodynamics, advanced
electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer
science. Sometimes, a combination of education and
appropriate experience may be substituted for a degree.
Although positions in operational meteorology are
available for those with only a bachelor’s degree, obtaining
a second bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree enhances
employment opportunities, pay, and advancement potential. A
master’s degree usually is necessary for conducting applied
research and development, and a Ph.D. is required for most
basic research positions. Students planning on a career in
research and development do not necessarily need to major in
atmospheric science or meteorology as an undergraduate. In
fact, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, physics, or
engineering provides excellent preparation for graduate
study in atmospheric science.
Because atmospheric science is a small field, relatively
few colleges and universities offer degrees in meteorology
or atmospheric science, although many departments of
physics, earth science, geography, and geophysics offer
atmospheric science and related courses. In 2007, the
American Meteorological Society listed approximately 100
undergraduate and graduate atmospheric science programs.
Many of these programs combine the study of meteorology with
another field, such as agriculture, hydrology, oceanography,
engineering, or physics. For example, hydrometeorology is
the blending of hydrology (the science of Earth’s water) and
meteorology, and is the field concerned with the effect of
precipitation on the hydrologic cycle and the environment.
Prospective students should make certain that courses
required by the National Weather Service and other employers
are offered at the college they are considering. Computer
science courses, additional meteorology courses, a strong
background in mathematics and physics, and good
communication skills are important to prospective employers.
Students should also take courses in subjects that are
most relevant to their desired area of specialization. For
example, those who wish to become broadcast meteorologists
for radio or television stations should develop excellent
communication skills through courses in speech, journalism,
and related fields. Students interested in air quality work
should take courses in chemistry and supplement their
technical training with coursework in policy or government
affairs. Prospective meteorologists seeking opportunities at
weather consulting firms should possess knowledge of
business, statistics, and economics, as an increasing
emphasis is being placed on long-range seasonal forecasting
to assist businesses.
Beginning atmospheric scientists often do routine data
collection, computation, or analysis, and some basic
forecasting. Entry-level operational meteorologists in the
Federal Government usually are placed in intern positions
for training and experience. During this period, they learn
about the Weather Service’s forecasting equipment and
procedures, and rotate to different offices to learn about
various weather systems. After completing the training
period, they are assigned to a permanent duty station.
Certification and advancement. The American
Meteorological Society (AMS) offers professional
certification for consulting meteorologists, administered by
a Board of Certified Consulting Meteorologists. Applicants
must meet formal education requirements, pass an examination
to demonstrate thorough meteorological knowledge, have a
minimum of 5 years of experience or a combination of
experience plus an advanced degree, and provide character
references from fellow professionals. In addition, AMS also
offers professional certification for broadcast
meteorologists.
Experienced meteorologists may advance to supervisory or
administrative jobs, or may handle more complex forecasting
jobs. After several years of experience, some meteorologists
establish their own weather consulting services.
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Atmospheric scientists held about 8,800 jobs in 2006.
Although several hundred people teach atmospheric science
and related courses in college and university departments of
meteorology or atmospheric science, physics, earth science,
or geophysics, these individuals are classified as college
or university faculty, rather than atmospheric scientists.
(See the statement on
postsecondary
teachers elsewhere in the Handbook.)
The Federal Government was the largest single employer of
civilian meteorologists, accounting for about 37 percent.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
employed most Federal meteorologists in National Weather
Service stations throughout the Nation; the remainder of
NOAA’s meteorologists worked mainly in research and
development or management. The U.S. Department of Defense
employed several hundred civilian meteorologists. In
addition to civilian meteorologists, hundreds of Armed
Forces members are involved in forecasting and other
meteorological work. Others worked for professional, scientific,
and technical services firms, including private weather
consulting services; radio and television broadcasting; air
carriers; and State government.
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Job Outlook
Employment is expected to increase about as fast as the
average. Atmospheric scientists should have favorable job
prospects, but opportunities in broadcasting are rare and
highly competitive.
Employment change. Employment of
atmospheric scientists is projected to grow 11 percent over
the 2006-16 decade,
about as fast
as the average for all occupations. The National Weather
Service has completed an extensive modernization of its
weather forecasting equipment and finished all hiring of
meteorologists needed to staff the upgraded stations. The
Service has no plans to increase the number of weather
stations or the number of meteorologists in existing
stations. Employment of meteorologists in other Federal
agencies is expected to decline.
In private industry, on the other hand, job opportunities
for atmospheric scientists are expected to be better than in
the Federal Government. As research leads to continuing
improvements in weather forecasting, demand should grow for
private weather consulting firms to provide more detailed
information than has formerly been available, especially to
climate-sensitive industries. Farmers, commodity investors,
radio and television stations, and utilities,
transportation, and construction firms can greatly benefit
from additional weather information more closely targeted to
their needs than the general information provided by the
National Weather Service. Additionally, research on seasonal
and other long-range forecasting is yielding positive
results, which should spur demand for more atmospheric
scientists to interpret these forecasts and advise
climate-sensitive industries. However, because many
customers for private weather services are in industries
sensitive to fluctuations in the economy, the sales and
growth of private weather services depend on the health of
the economy.
There will continue to be demand for atmospheric
scientists to analyze and monitor the dispersion of
pollutants into the air to ensure compliance with Federal
environmental regulations, but related employment increases
are expected to be small. Efforts toward making and
improving global weather observations also could have a
positive impact on employment.
Job prospects. Atmospheric scientists
should have
favorable job prospects, as the number of graduates is
expected to be in rough balance with the number of openings.
Opportunities in broadcasting are rare and there will be
very few job openings in this industry. Openings for
academic and government positions should result primarily
from replacement needs as older workers retire or leave the
occupation for other reasons.
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Projections data from
the National Employment Matrix
|
Occupational
title |
Employ
-ment, 2006 |
Projected
employ
-ment,
2016 |
Change, 2006-16 |
Detailed
statistics |
|
# |
% |
|
Atmospheric and space scientists |
8,800 |
9,700 |
900 |
11 |
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Median annual earnings of atmospheric scientists in May
2006 were $77,150. The middle 50 percent earned between
$55,530 and $96,490. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$39,090, and the highest 10 percent earned more than
$119,700.
The average salary for meteorologists employed by the
Federal Government was $84,882 in 2007. Many meteorologists
in the Federal Government with a bachelor’s degree received
a starting salary of $35,752, or slightly higher in areas of
the country where the prevailing local pay level is higher.
For the latest wage information:
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Workers in other occupations concerned with the physical
environment include
environmental
scientists and hydrologists,
geoscientists,
physicists and
astronomers,
mathematicians,
and engineers.
Sources of
Additional Information
Information about careers in meteorology and a listing of
colleges and universities offering meteorology programs is
provided by the American Meteorological Society on the
Internet at:
http://www.ametsoc.org
General information about meteorology and careers in
atmospheric science can also be obtained from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the Internet at:
http://www.noaa.gov
Information on obtaining engineering technician positions
with the Federal Government is available from the Office of
Personnel Management through USAJOBS, the Federal
Government’s official employment information system. This
site and over 140 other federal government resources for
locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed
through the Internet at
http://federaljobs.net/federal.htm.
For advice on how to find and apply for Federal jobs, visit
http://federaljobs.net
and either visit your local library or purchase a copy of
the all new 10th edition of
The Book of U.S.
Government Jobs.
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This information
is provided by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09
Edition, Atmospheric
Scientists.
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