Forecasting weather, studying the atmosphere, and understanding how Earth's climate is changing.
Top pay: highest pay, longest training
Atmospheric Research Scientist: Researches how the atmosphere works, from thunderstorms to the ozone layer. Typical pay $115k.
Climate Scientist: Studies how and why Earth's climate is changing and what it means for the future. Typical pay $112k.
Climate Modeler: Writes and runs the giant computer programs that simulate Earth's climate decades into the future. Typical pay $130k.
Cloud Physicist: Studies how cloud droplets, ice, and rain form, the biggest uncertainty in climate predictions. Typical pay $115k.
Energy & Commodity Meteorologist: Forecasts weather for energy traders, wind farms, and power grids, where a degree of temperature can mean millions of dollars. Typical pay $115k.
Climate Risk Analyst: Estimates how floods, heat, and storms will hurt companies, banks, and insurers in the future. Typical pay $112k.
Radar Meteorologist: Studies and improves the weather radars that spot tornadoes, hail and flash floods. Typical pay $115k.
Satellite Meteorologist: Turns images from weather satellites into forecasts and climate records. Typical pay $115k.
AI Weather Model Scientist: Builds artificial-intelligence models that forecast weather faster than traditional supercomputer models. Typical pay $150k.
Atmospheric Chemist: Studies the chemistry of the air, from ozone and smog to the tiny particles that seed clouds. Typical pay $115k.
Mid pay: solid pay, degree or apprenticeship
Weather Forecaster: Forecasts the weather and issues warnings for storms, floods, and heat. Typical pay $97k.
Broadcast Meteorologist: Forecasts and explains the weather on TV, radio, and social media. Typical pay $80k.
Aviation Meteorologist: Forecasts turbulence, icing, and storms so airlines can route planes safely. Typical pay $92k.
Hurricane Hunter Meteorologist: Flies into hurricanes on special planes to collect data that improves forecasts. Typical pay $100k.
Incident Meteorologist (IMET): Deploys to wildfires to forecast wind and weather for firefighters on the ground. Typical pay $105k.
Forensic Meteorologist: Reconstructs past weather for lawsuits and insurance claims, like whether ice caused a car crash. Typical pay $95k.
Air Quality Scientist: Tracks air pollution, wildfire smoke, and ozone, and forecasts air quality alerts. Typical pay $82k.
Hydrometeorologist: Forecasts heavy rain, snowmelt and floods for the National Weather Service, Army Corps of Engineers or water utilities, using river and weather models. Typical pay $95k.
Paleoclimatologist: Reconstructs ancient climates from ice cores, tree rings, corals, and cave formations. Typical pay $100k.
Cloud Seeding Scientist: Plans cloud-seeding operations that try to boost snow and rain in the dry West. Typical pay $85k.
State Climatologist: Serves as a state's official climate expert, tracking droughts, records and long-term trends. Typical pay $90k.
Marine Weather Forecaster: Forecasts winds and waves for ships, oil rigs, offshore wind farms and sailors. Typical pay $90k.
Agricultural Meteorologist: Forecasts how weather will affect crops, harvests and food prices. Typical pay $92k.
Snow Survey Hydrologist: Skis and snowmobiles into the mountains to measure snowpack, then forecasts how much water will reach rivers and farms in spring. Typical pay $80k.
Road Weather Forecaster: Predicts ice, snow and fog on highways so road crews know exactly when to pre-salt, plow or close roads. Typical pay $80k.
Sports & Event Meteorologist: Forecasts lightning, heat and storms for golf tournaments, stadiums, races and concerts, and tells officials when to clear the crowd. Typical pay $75k.
Starter: fastest way in
Meteorological Technician: Installs and repairs weather radars, stations, and sensors. Typical pay $52k.
Weather Observer: Records the weather by hand and launches weather balloons twice a day. Typical pay $45k.
Military Weather Specialist: Forecasts weather for military flights and missions around the world. Typical pay $48k.
Storm Chase Tour Guide: Takes tourists into Tornado Alley to safely watch giant thunderstorms and tornadoes. Typical pay $40k.
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.