Explore Careers

Meteorological Specialists

Explore Careers

Meteorological Specialists

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Enlisted Role

Service Branches with this Role

  • Marines logo
  • Navy logo
  • Air Force logo
  • Space Force logo

What do Meteorological Specialists do in the Military?

Meteorological specialists predict the weather and study the causes of particular weather conditions using information obtained from the land, sea, and upper atmosphere.

Where do Meteorological Specialists work?

Meteorological specialists usually work in offices either on land or aboard ships. They work outdoors when making visual weather observations and launching weather balloons.

How much do they make?

Median Military Salary

This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.


Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.

$72,474

Military Salary Range

This is the range based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location.


Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.

$23,672 - $331,665

How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary

Base pay is the standard income you'll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.

  • Set based on rank and years of service.
  • Paid every month.

Allowances are additional payments to help cover living expenses like housing and food.

  • Tax-free payments.
  • Varies by location and family status.

Special pay provides extra compensation for unique skills, hazardous duties, or challenging assignments.

  • Based on specialized roles.
  • Varies by position and duty.

What training do Meteorological Specialists gain in the Military?

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Meteorological specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Basic meteorology (study of weather) and oceanography (study of the ocean)
  • Methods for plotting weather data
  • Analysis of radar and satellite weather information
  • Preparation of weather reports

Military Training for Enlisted Service members

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training.

What skills help Meteorological Specialists succeed?

  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Interest in gathering and organizing information
  • Interest in learning how weather changes
  • Interest in working with formulas, tables, and graphs

What are possible career paths after the Military?

  • Remote Sensing Technicians
  • Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
  • Hydrologists
  • Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
  • Climate Change Policy Analysts
  • Atmospheric and Space Scientists
  • Natural Sciences Managers
  • Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Interested? Take Your Next Step!