Also called: NWS Emergency Response Specialist, Decision Support Meteorologist
A National Weather Service forecaster who works inside emergency operations centers during disasters, briefing leaders on what the weather will do next.
When a hurricane or wildfire threatens, these meteorologists deploy to state or FEMA command centers and give briefings every few hours: when the wind will peak, where flooding will be worst, when it's safe for crews. Between disasters they train emergency managers and build relationships with them.
Federal GS pay, 2026 estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 10 years after high school. Bachelor's in meteorology plus years as an NWS forecaster.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Meteorology, Atmospheric Science.
Growing about average. NWS has expanded decision-support roles (approx.).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI weather models improve fast; translating forecasts into decisions for leaders stays human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, 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.