Mountain Weather Observer

Also called: Summit Weather Observer

Lives on top of a mountain recording some of the worst weather on Earth.

A day in the life

At places like New Hampshire's Mount Washington Observatory, observers take hourly readings, de-ice instruments in hurricane-force winds, and run education programs, living on the summit in week-long shifts.

Pay over a career

Starting
$30k
Typical
$40k
High
$55k

Estimate; free lodging on shift.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in meteorology or atmospheric science.

Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Meteorology, Atmospheric Science.

Outlook

Growing slowly. Very few positions.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. Automated stations already took most observer jobs; the few summit posts remain for de-icing instruments, research and education.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Earth Science, Physics, AP Calculus, Public speaking.

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4099.

More Weird Science & Extreme Environments careers

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.