Headline risk
55%
Very High RiskAtmospheric and space scientists
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
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.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 5% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 97,450
Employment 2024
9.4K
Projected Change (2024–34)
0.7%
Openings (2024–34)
0.7K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. 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. AI use: 0%
- 2. Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information. AI use: 0%
- 3. Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate. AI use: 0%
- 4. Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts. AI use: 91%
- 5. Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting. AI use: 0%
- 6. Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 39.8 · 106K employed
Under 25: 8% · 25–54: 71% · 55+: 22%
Related
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
title_match · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Atmospheric scientists study, report on, and forecast the weather and climate.
Most atmospheric scientists work indoors in weather stations, offices, or laboratories. They may work outdoors to observe the weather. Most atmospheric scientists are full time and may work extended hours during weather emergencies.
Atmospheric scientists typically need a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or a related field to enter the occupation. Those who work in research typically need a master’s degree or a Ph.D.
The median annual wage for atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists was $97,450 in May 2024.
Employment of atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.