Also called: Weather Modification Pilot
Flies small planes into storm clouds to release particles that boost rain or snow.
You wait for the meteorologist's call, take off toward a towering cloud, and fire flares off the wings in a careful pattern. Most work is in western states.
Seasonal work.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Aviation / Professional Pilot.
Growing about average. Tiny but growing with drought.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Drones are starting to seed clouds; flying into storms with judgment still needs pilots for now.
Classes: Earth science or meteorology, Physics, Chemistry, Math.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-2012.
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