Also called: Atmospheric Scientist
Researches how the atmosphere works, from thunderstorms to the ozone layer.
At a place like NCAR in Boulder, you might fly instruments into storms, run supercomputer models, and publish discoveries that improve forecasts.
Research scientists earn above the atmospheric scientist median ($97k).
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 or physics.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Atmospheric Science, Physics, Meteorology.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). Growth is for atmospheric scientists overall.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI weather models change research fast; flying into storms, field campaigns and new physics stay human.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry.
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.