How Do I Become a Meteorologist?

You need a Bachelor’s Degree to become a meteorologist.  You also need a strong grasp of math, science, and computer science. 

To become a meteorologist, you would study weather processes, the atmosphere, and any other natural phenomenon that influences the world.  A bachelor’s Degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or another related field is necessary to become a meteorologist.  For certain jobs, you may need specialized studies or an advanced degree.

Some of the classes you may have to take to become a meteorologist are:

• Differential equations
• Calculus
• Physics
• Classes in atmospheric science
• Climatology
• Cloud processes and thermodynamics
• Atmospheric chemistry
• Atmospheric motions
• Boundary layer meteorology

The names of classes will be different from school to school, but you get the idea.   

If you are still in high school and are considering becoming a meteorologist, take as many math and science classes that you can, like physics, calculus, and chemistry.  You might want to self-educate yourself by getting on the Internet and learning weather-related terms.  The more you know, the easier it will be to understand the advanced classes in college. 

While you are in college, you may also look into an internship at local television stations or other companies that deal with the weather.  Once you have obtained your degree, you have many options.  You can look for a job, go into research, or continue your education and get an advanced degree.  For example, if you want to be a television weather forecaster, a bachelor’s degree will probably be sufficient.  However, if you want to get into the fields of the theoretical aspects of meteorology or research, you will need an advanced degree, probably a Doctorate.   

Job Duties of a Meteorologist

Meteorologists, who are also called atmospheric scientists, study everything that goes on in the earth’s atmosphere.  They are concerned with how these physical processes and events affect the world’s environment, including people.  They study patterns to more accurately forecast the weather.  Weather information is useful to agriculture, transportation, forestry, and people who study trends, like global warming. 

There are different kinds of meteorologists:

• Physical: These meteorologists work in research.
• Operational: Forecasting the weather is the main job of these meteorologists.
• Synoptic: These meteorologists use complicated computer models of weather to create new tools and ways to forecast the weather.
• Environmental: Environment meteorologists will study and report on air quality and study environmental problems.
• Climatologists: These folks study weather patterns and climate variations over time.

Career Options for a Meteorologist

The outlook for getting a job as a meteorologist is at least as good as other professions.  Since there is more emphasis on clean air and air pollution now, jobs will probably increase in the private sector for meteorologists.

As far as the salary you can expect, many jobs will start at minimum wage or a bit better, but your salary will increase with experience.  In 2009, the middle 50% of all meteorologists working earned between $70,422 and $108,935.  The people in the top ten percent earned more than $127,493. 

If you are interested in how to become a meteorologist, there are quite a few places that might hire you including:

• Air quality agencies
• Aerospace companies
• The National Weather Service
• The Weather Channel
• Television stations
• Companies that provide weather media
• Colleges and universities that are doing weather research
• The military
• Companies that provide forensic meteorology information to insurance companies and law firms

For more information of jobs that are available or how to become a meteorologist, check out: A Career Guide for the Atmospheric Sciences at the American.