Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Also called: Forecaster, General Forecaster, Meteorologist, Research MeteorologistInvestigate 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.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 22 of its 27 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 2.6% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 0.8% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 38% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $81,080 | $65,230 to $104,300 | 340 |
| Alaska | $94,380 | $65,230 to $106,510 | not published |
| Arizona | $115,020 | $77,330 to $132,660 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $71,940 | $67,560 to $97,580 | not published |
| California | $124,920 | $105,910 to $144,910 | 510 |
| Colorado | $104,670 | $85,440 to $140,380 | 1,150 |
| Connecticut | $85,110 | $83,970 to $102,130 | 50 |
| District of Columbia | $103,860 | $103,860 to $180,480 | 70 |
| Florida | $115,960 | $89,270 to $144,330 | 270 |
| Georgia | $96,820 | $56,200 to $132,900 | 170 |
| Hawaii | $121,010 | $98,340 to $139,360 | 70 |
| Idaho | $119,430 | $88,610 to $136,990 | 50 |
| Illinois | $112,280 | $84,220 to $145,860 | 110 |
| Indiana | $103,680 | $84,910 to $128,670 | 80 |
| Iowa | $76,850 | $74,260 to $111,030 | 100 |
| Kansas | $109,300 | $85,110 to $126,440 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $103,240 | $75,680 to $132,990 | 100 |
| Louisiana | $97,470 | $75,550 to $125,420 | 70 |
| Maine | $103,710 | $69,680 to $136,990 | 50 |
| Maryland | $128,800 | $101,940 to $156,750 | 750 |
| Massachusetts | $108,050 | $86,550 to $155,150 | not published |
| Michigan | $103,210 | $73,920 to $134,130 | 150 |
| Minnesota | $106,270 | $94,520 to $133,470 | 50 |
| Missouri | $114,230 | $84,520 to $130,770 | 160 |
| Montana | $108,890 | $77,350 to $128,670 | 70 |
| Nebraska | $60,540 | $58,850 to $109,300 | 160 |
| Nevada | $109,300 | $82,630 to $149,430 | 120 |
| New Hampshire | $42,820 | $42,340 to $64,400 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $120,180 | $81,470 to $171,190 | 60 |
| New Mexico | $110,070 | $89,560 to $136,990 | 60 |
| New York | $117,540 | $73,350 to $166,640 | 370 |
| North Carolina | $91,560 | $58,920 to $115,210 | 170 |
| North Dakota | $91,560 | $61,110 to $126,440 | 40 |
| Ohio | $78,580 | $68,990 to $107,950 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $76,480 | $48,930 to $115,490 | 420 |
| Oregon | $112,260 | $82,680 to $129,960 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,890 | $60,560 to $115,210 | 160 |
| Puerto Rico | $63,910 | $63,790 to $88,610 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $82,240 | $75,400 to $102,430 | 150 |
| South Dakota | $78,900 | $68,220 to $104,380 | 130 |
| Tennessee | $96,190 | $78,060 to $129,620 | 230 |
| Texas | $84,990 | $66,930 to $95,480 | 720 |
| Utah | $96,520 | $59,670 to $100,650 | 170 |
| Virginia | $83,880 | $80,710 to $154,930 | 350 |
| Washington | $94,400 | $85,400 to $124,990 | 190 |
| West Virginia | $80,690 | $52,060 to $100,420 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $85,870 | $69,320 to $107,970 | 280 |
| Wyoming | $99,940 | $76,580 to $122,940 | 40 |
Nationally: $99,070. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 22 of its 27 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI + software | Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate. | Not published |
| AI + software | Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts. | Not published |
| AI + software | Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting. | Not published |
| AI alone | Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups. | under 0.01% |
See all 27 tasks
| AI + software | Analyze historical climate information, such as precipitation or temperature records, to help predict future weather or climate trends. | Not published |
| AI + software | 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. | Not published |
| AI alone | Develop and deliver training on weather topics. | Not published |
| AI alone | Develop computer programs to collect meteorological data or to present meteorological information. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Speak to the public to discuss weather topics or answer questions. | Not published |
| AI + software | Prepare weather reports or maps for analysis, distribution, or use in weather broadcasts, using computer graphics. | Not published |
| AI alone | Prepare scientific atmospheric or climate reports, articles, or texts. | Not published |
| AI + software | Analyze climate data sets, using techniques such as geophysical fluid dynamics, data assimilation, or numerical modeling. | Not published |
| AI alone | Consult with other offices, agencies, professionals, or researchers regarding the use and interpretation of climatological information for weather predictions and warnings. | Not published |
| AI + software | Apply meteorological knowledge to issues such as global warming, pollution control, or ozone depletion. | Not published |
| Not much | Perform managerial duties, such as creating work schedules, creating or implementing staff training, matching staff expertise to situations, or analyzing performance of offices. | Not published |
| Not much | Direct forecasting services at weather stations or at radio or television broadcasting facilities. | Not published |
| AI alone | Design or develop new equipment or methods for meteorological data collection, remote sensing, or related applications. | Not published |
| AI + software | Measure wind, temperature, and humidity in the upper atmosphere, using weather balloons. | Not published |
| Not much | Teach college-level courses on topics such as atmospheric and space science, meteorology, or global climate change. | Not published |
| AI alone | Estimate or predict the effects of global warming over time for specific geographic regions. | Not published |
| AI alone | Research the impact of industrial projects or pollution on climate, air quality, or weather phenomena. | Not published |
| AI + software | Conduct numerical simulations of climate conditions to understand and predict global or regional weather patterns. | Not published |
| AI + software | Create visualizations to illustrate historical or future changes in the Earth's climate, using paleoclimate or climate geographic information systems (GIS) databases. | Not published |
| Not much | Conduct wind assessment, integration, or validation studies. | Not published |
| Not much | Collect air samples from planes or ships over land or sea to study atmospheric composition. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 4 of the 27 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 27 tasks fall under 21 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #5 Provide information or assistance to the public
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- #20 Present research or technical information
- and 2 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provide information or assistance to the public | |||
| Research issues related to earth sciences | |||
| Develop scientific or mathematical theories or models | |||
| Present research or technical information | |||
| Teach academic or vocational subjects | |||
| Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities | |||
| Collect environmental or biological samples | |||
| Create visual designs or displays |
Show all 21 activities
| Prepare informational or instructional materials | |||
| Program computer systems or production equipment | |||
| Assist scientists, scholars, or technical specialists with projects or research | |||
| Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical data | |||
| Communicate environmental or sustainability information | |||
| Test performance of computer or information systems | |||
| Develop research plans or methodologies | |||
| Analyze data to improve operations | |||
| Monitor environmental conditions | |||
| Analyze environmental or geospatial data | |||
| Develop systems or practices to mitigate or resolve environmental problems | |||
| Direct scientific or technical activities | |||
| Manage human resources activities |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- An explanation or answer75%
- A chart or visualization4%
- An analysis or summary4%
- Teaching material3%
- A script or snippet3%
How they worked with Claude
8% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for atmospheric and space scientists specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 2,598 moves out
- 1 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other Very high +2.0% 9%
- 2 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 8%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
- 4 Computer Systems Analysts Very high +7.9% 5%
- 5 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Very high +7.0% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 2,445 moves in
- 1 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 9%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 3 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Very high +7.0% 5%
- 4 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Moderate +5.0% 5%
- 5 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other Very high +2.0% 4%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 60% bachelor's
- 20% master's
- 15% research doctorate
- 5% post-doctoral training
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 20 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 2% high school
- 2% some college
- 2% associate's
- 56% bachelor's
- 33% master's
- 1% professional degree
- 5% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 134 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
7 programs, such as Climate Science, Mathematics and Atmospheric/Oceanic Science and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General.
See all
- Climate Science
- Mathematics and Atmospheric/Oceanic Science
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology
- Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics
- Meteorology
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 1 registered apprenticeship in this occupation (METEOROLOGIST). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Atmospheric and Space Scientists” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/19-2021.00