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.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
SOC: 19-2021 O*NET: 19-2021.00
Median Salary
$97,450
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Atmospheric and Space Scientists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$49,990
10th percentile
Early Career
$69,440
25th percentile
Median
$97,450
50th percentile
Experienced
$128,940
75th percentile
Top Earners
$160,710
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$49,990
25th
$69,440
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$97,450
Mean: $103,980
75th
$128,940
90th
$160,710
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $110,720 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $69,440 and $128,940
- •Salary spread is 61.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 8,780 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:9,400
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services31.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services31.1%
Information17.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.7%
Annual Openings:700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)9,400
Current
2034 (Projected)9,500
+0.7%
+100
Employment Change
+0.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Atmospheric and Space Scientists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
Colorado
950 jobs$106,3105.75x
Maryland
710 jobs$104,5604.52x
California
580 jobs$117,7700.56x
New York
500 jobs$69,8700.93x
Florida
440 jobs$95,6400.78x
Texas
440 jobs$88,5700.56x
Illinois
320 jobs$00.93x
Washington
280 jobs$88,8001.39x
Oklahoma
280 jobs$79,2002.90x
Alabama
230 jobs$84,7201.96x
Ohio
190 jobs$76,2900.62x
Wisconsin
180 jobs$102,1301.06x
Alaska
180 jobs$101,5009.87x
Georgia
170 jobs$90,6700.63x
Mississippi
160 jobs$74,0602.44x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Learning
94%
#3
Science
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Writing
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Mathematics
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Learning
advanced4.7
94%
Science
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Writing
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Learning
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Science
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Mathematics
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Statisticians100%
5 shared skills
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers100%
5 shared skills
Hydrologists100%
5 shared skills
Materials Engineers100%
5 shared skills
Materials Scientists100%
5 shared skills
Mathematicians100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Writing
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Active Learning
- ✓Science
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Active Learning
- ★Science
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechPerl
🔥 Hot TechPython
🔥 Hot TechR
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Photoshop
C++
Perl
Python
R
Microsoft Office software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (1)Planning & Development (3)Analysis & Evaluation (4)Training & Development (1)
1
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Measure wind, temperature, and humidity in the upper atmosphere, using weather balloons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Direct forecasting services at weather stations or at radio or television broadcasting facilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Collect air samples from planes or ships over land or sea to study atmospheric composition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Conduct numerical simulations of climate conditions to understand and predict global or regional weather patterns.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Design or develop new equipment or methods for meteorological data collection, remote sensing, or related applications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Analyze climate data sets, using techniques such as geophysical fluid dynamics, data assimilation, or numerical modeling.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Conduct wind assessment, integration, or validation studies.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Atmospheric and Space Scientists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Atmospheric and Space Scientists professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.60
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.50
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.45
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.40
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.00
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.95
Complete Work Styles Profile
Analytical Thinking
4.6
Integrity
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Initiative
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Persistence
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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