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.

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Science
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Writing
Complex Problem Solving

Key knowledge

Mathematics
Physics
Geography
Computers and Electronics
English Language
Communications and Media
Customer and Personal Service
Chemistry

What the work involves

Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media.
Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts.
Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups.
Measure wind, temperature, and humidity in the upper atmosphere, using weather balloons.
Analyze climate data sets, using techniques such as geophysical fluid dynamics, data assimilation, or numerical modeling.
Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.
Perform managerial duties, such as creating work schedules, creating or implementing staff training, matching staff expertise to situations, or analyzing performance of offices.
Consult with other offices, agencies, professionals, or researchers regarding the use and interpretation of climatological information for weather predictions and warnings.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Investigative, Realistic, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Bachelor's Degree (60% of respondents)
Related experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years (30%)
On-the-job training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year (30%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Atmospheric and Space Scientists is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Very low	Lower on contact with others than 82% of occupations compared	35% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others most of the time”
Dealing with the public	Moderate	Higher on dealing with the public than 53% of occupations compared	35% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely important”
Teamwork	Low	Lower on teamwork than 74% of occupations compared	50% of surveyed respondents chose “Very important”
Freedom to make decisions	Low	Lower on freedom to make decisions than 67% of occupations compared	45% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	Moderate	Higher on time pressure than 57% of occupations compared	45% of surveyed respondents chose “Every day”
Conflict situations	Low	Lower on conflict situations than 79% of occupations compared	55% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 69% of occupations compared	55% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	Very low	Lower on consequence of error than 84% of occupations compared	45% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: moderate
Conflict situations: low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: low
Consequence of error: very low

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions