Also called: Climate Modeler, Atmospheric Scientist, Paleoclimatologist
Studies how and why the climate is changing, using computer models, satellites, ice cores, and ocean data.
You might run supercomputer simulations of future rainfall, analyze air bubbles trapped in Antarctic ice from 800,000 years ago, or launch weather balloons. Much of your time is coding, analyzing data, and writing research papers.
Atmospheric and space scientists median is about $97k; PhD research scientists typically earn more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in atmospheric science, oceanography, physics, or earth science for most research roles.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Atmospheric Science, Physics, Earth Science, Oceanography.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Atmospheric scientists; federal research funding is uncertain.
Low risk for 10 years. AI speeds climate models and data analysis; designing research and interpreting results stay human, though funding is uncertain.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Computer science, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.