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19-2021.00 - 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.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
11,800
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
12,900
Estimate
Change in Employment
+1,100
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+9.2%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • 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.
  • Conduct numerical simulations of climate conditions to understand and predict global or regional weather patterns.
  • Design or develop new equipment or methods for meteorological data collection, remote sensing, or related applications.
  • 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.
  • Analyze historical climate information, such as precipitation or temperature records, to help predict future weather or climate trends.
  • Prepare weather reports or maps for analysis, distribution, or use in weather broadcasts, using computer graphics.
  • Apply meteorological knowledge to issues such as global warming, pollution control, or ozone depletion.
  • Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
  • 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.
  • Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate.
  • Prepare scientific atmospheric or climate reports, articles, or texts.
  • Speak to the public to discuss weather topics or answer questions.
  • Develop computer programs to collect meteorological data or to present meteorological information.
  • Develop and deliver training on weather topics.
Supplemental
  • Measure wind, temperature, and humidity in the upper atmosphere, using weather balloons.
  • Direct forecasting services at weather stations or at radio or television broadcasting facilities.
  • Collect air samples from planes or ships over land or sea to study atmospheric composition.
  • Conduct wind assessment, integration, or validation studies.
  • Create visualizations to illustrate historical or future changes in the Earth's climate, using paleoclimate or climate geographic information systems (GIS) databases.
  • Estimate or predict the effects of global warming over time for specific geographic regions.
  • Teach college-level courses on topics such as atmospheric and space science, meteorology, or global climate change.
  • Research the impact of industrial projects or pollution on climate, air quality, or weather phenomena.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Physics
  • 88%
    Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
 English Language
  • 85%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Geography
  • 85%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
 Mathematics
  • 85%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 76%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Communications and Media
  • 68%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 61%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Education and Training
  • 61%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Chemistry
  • 61%
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 60%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 60%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Administration and Management
  • 57%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Telecommunications
  • 54%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Sampling equipment
  • Air quality samplers
 Meteorological instruments
  • Air temperature thermometers
  • Analog anemometers
  • Digital anemometers
  • Mercury barometers
  • Radiosonde launchers
  • Rain gauges
  • Relative humidity gauges
  • Solarimeters
  • Temperature and humidity data loggers
  • Tipping bucket rain gauges
  • Weather balloons
  • Weather observation stations
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Graphic tablets
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
 Radar and sonar systems and components
  • Doppler radar equipment
  • Next Generation Weather Radar NEXRAD
 Humidity and moisture measuring instruments
  • Hygrometers
  • Psychrometers
  • Whirling hygrometers
 Light and wave generating and measuring equipment
  • Light meters
 Transducers
  • Soil temperature probes
 Passenger motor vehicles
  • Storm chase vehicles
 Temperature and heat measuring instruments
  • Surface temperature probes
 Personal communication devices
  • Two way radios
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content authoring and editing software
  • AccuWeather Galileo
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Advanced Visual Systems AVS/Express
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • FacebookHOT
  • Image editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft Paint
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • QuarkXPress
  • Social media sitesHOT
  • Word processing software
 Industry specific software
  • Air quality modeling software
  • Aninoquisi MesoTRAC
  • Baron Services FasTrac
  • Baron Volumetric Imaging and Processing of Integrated Radar VIPIR
  • Cave5D
  • Environmental Research Services RAOB
  • Ferret
  • Flow Analysis Software Toolkit FAST
  • Grid analysis and display system GrADS
  • IBM SPSS StatisticsHOT
  • Interactive radar analysis software IRAS
  • Lakes Environmental Software WRPLOT View
  • Maplesoft Maple
  • Mesoscale modeling software
  • PC Weather Products HURRTRAK
  • SASHOT
  • SatView
  • STATISTICA
  • SVRPLOT
  • Systat Software SigmaPlot
  • Systat Software SigmaStat
  • The MathWorks MATLABHOT
  • Unidata GEMPAK
  • Unidata Gempak Analysis and Rendering Program GARP
  • Unidata Integrated Data Viewer IDV
  • Unidata McIDAS-X
  • Vis5d+
  • VorTek Site Assessment of Tornado Threat SATT
  • Wind flow modeling software
  • WINGRIDDS
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
  • WSI Titan
  • WSI TrueView Professional
 Development software
  • C++HOT
  • Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
  • Practical extraction and reporting language PerlHOT
  • PythonHOT
  • RHOT
  • Software development tools
 Operating environment software
  • Cisco IOS
  • LinuxHOT
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
  • UNIXHOT
 Information exchange software
  • ESRI ArcInfo
  • ESRI ArcView
  • ITT Visual Information Solutions ENVI
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Data management and query software
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Structured query language SQLHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

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