Also called: Snow Safety Director, Avalanche Specialist
Studies snow and weather to predict avalanches and keep skiers, highways, and towns safe.
Avalanche forecasters dig snow pits to study layers, ski the backcountry, and publish daily danger ratings. Some work for ski resorts or highway departments where they trigger avalanches on purpose with explosives before roads open.
Often seasonal.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in geoscience or snow science helpful; professional avalanche training (AIARE/AAA).
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Geology, Meteorology, Snow Science, Outdoor Education.
Growing slowly. Small field.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI snowpack and weather models improve forecasts; snow pits and field judgment stay human.
Classes: Earth science, AP Physics, Statistics, Chemistry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2099.
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.