# Atmospheric and Space Scientists

> Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/atmospheric-and-space-scientists
- SOC code: 19-2021.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $99,070 (10th percentile $53,060, 90th percentile $161,890)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +2.6%
- Openings a year: 800
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 63 |
| Investigative (I) | 88 |
| Artistic (A) | 29 |
| Social (S) | 25 |
| Enterprising (E) | 28 |
| Conventional (C) | 58 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 95/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 94/100)
- Getting Information (importance 90/100)
- Processing Information (importance 81/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 81/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 80/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 75/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 71/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 71/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Science, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Judgment and Decision Making, Mathematics

## Knowledge

Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Computers and Electronics, English Language, Communications and Media, Chemistry, Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training, Engineering and Technology

## Also called

Aerologist, Air Analyst, Astrochemist, Atmospheric Chemist, Atmospheric Scientist, Broadcast Meteorologist, Climate Change Risk Assessor, Climatologist, Computer Meteorologist, Forecaster

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4004) (CIP 4004, 114 colleges)
- Climate Science (CIP 3035, 13 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-daytona-beach-908) | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $45,605 | $76,421 | not reported |
| [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign-main-campus-2927) | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | not reported | $71,425 | not reported |
| [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university-3134) | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $45,862 | $67,892 | $21,456 |
| [Florida State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/florida-state-university-main-campus-985) | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | not reported | $66,943 | not reported |
| [University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus-main-campus-3007) | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $45,356 | $63,104 | $27,000 |
| [Valparaiso University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/valparaiso-university-3111) | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | not reported | $60,092 | $27,000 |
| [Saint Cloud State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/saint-cloud-state-university-2296) | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | not reported | $57,108 | not reported |
| [University of Missouri-Columbia Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-missouri-columbia-main-campus-2965) | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $39,962 | $55,790 | $17,500 |

## Related careers

- [Hydrologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hydrologists): $96,600 median pay
- [Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geoscientists-except-hydrologists-and-geographers): $101,920 median pay
- [Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/remote-sensing-scientists-and-technologists): $122,570 median pay
- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians): $116,580 median pay
- [Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geological-technicians-except-hydrologic-technicians): $53,350 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.