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Meteorologist
Science & ResearchYou predict the weather, and you're wrong often enough that it's become a punchline, but accurate enough that people panic when you say 'hurricane.' You'll analyze radar, satellite data, and atmospheric models while delivering forecasts on TV or for government agencies. Being a TV meteorologist means smiling through a green screen while social media roasts your forecast.
Salary Range
Low
$40k
Median
$63k
High
$99k
10-Year Growth
average
US Workers
10K
Education
Bachelor's in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science
Environment
indoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Numerical weather prediction (NWP) models
- ▸Radar and satellite imagery interpretation
- ▸Surface and upper-air observation analysis
- ▸Programming for data visualization (Python, GrADS)
- ▸Severe weather forecasting and warning systems
- ▸Climate data analysis (NOAA, NCEP datasets)
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Clear public communication
- ▸Quick decision-making
- ▸Calm under severe weather situations
- ▸Analytical thinking
- ▸Teamwork with broadcast or emergency teams
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
Programming for data visualization (Python, GrADS)
Climate data analysis (NOAA, NCEP datasets)
What you'll actually do
- 01Analyze weather models that disagree with each other and pick the one you trust most
- 02Issue forecasts knowing that being wrong means everyone has an opinion about your competence
- 03Monitor radar and satellite imagery for severe weather that could ruin someone's day or week
- 04Deliver on-air forecasts with a smile while standing in front of a green screen in a blazer
- 05Issue severe weather warnings and feel the weight of knowing people make life decisions based on your call
- 06Explain to the public that weather prediction is science, not magic — a 30% chance of rain means 30%
Related Shifts
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