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Meteorological Specialists

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Service Branches

  • Marines logo
  • navy logo
  • Air Force logo

Work Environment

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

  • Military Status

    Enlisted

  • Average Military Salary

    $55,934

Overview

Meteorological specialists predict the weather and study the causes of particular weather conditions using information obtained from the land, sea, and upper atmosphere. They use the latest forecast technology to predict severe weather, tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes, strong winds, and excessive heat and cold.

Military Training

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

Helpful Attributes

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

Related Civilian Careers

  • Hydrologists
  • Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
  • Atmospheric and Space Scientists
  • Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
  • Natural Sciences Managers