Meteorologists earn a median annual wage that varies significantly by employer, with figures ranging from about $72,000 in private consulting to over $120,000 in federal government roles. The overall average base salary sits around $70,837 per year, though the full range stretches from roughly $36,500 at the low end to $137,000 or more for experienced professionals in well-paying sectors.
Salary by Industry
Where you work matters more than almost any other factor in determining your paycheck. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wages in May 2024 broke down like this across the top employing industries:
- Federal government (excluding postal service): $120,640
- Scientific research and development: $106,300
- State colleges and universities: $91,410
- Publishing, broadcasting, and content providers: $75,760
- Other professional and technical services: $72,280
The gap between the top and bottom of that list is nearly $50,000, which reflects the very different roles meteorologists fill. A federal forecaster analyzing severe weather data for the National Weather Service works in a different world than a TV meteorologist presenting the five-day outlook in a mid-size media market, and the pay reflects that.
Federal Government and NWS Pay
The federal government is the single highest-paying employer category for meteorologists, largely because of the National Weather Service (NWS) and agencies like NOAA. Federal positions use the General Schedule (GS) pay system, which sets salary based on a numbered grade level and a locality adjustment that accounts for cost of living in your area.
NWS meteorologists enter on a career track that starts at the GS-5, GS-7, or GS-9 level and can advance to GS-12 without needing to compete for a new position or relocate. That career ladder was established when the NWS consolidated its old “Meteorologist Intern” and “General Forecaster” titles into a single Meteorologist track running from GS-5 through GS-12. In practice, this means a new hire can move from an entry-level salary into a solidly six-figure income over several years through regular promotions, all within the same office.
Supervisory and management roles at NWS offices, such as Science and Operations Officers or Meteorologists-in-Charge, can reach GS-13 or GS-14, pushing total compensation higher still. The combination of steady advancement, federal benefits, and retirement makes government work one of the most financially stable paths in the field.
Broadcast Meteorologist Pay
TV weather is the most visible version of the job, but it doesn’t pay the most. The BLS reports a median of $75,760 for meteorologists in publishing, broadcasting, and content. That figure covers a huge range, though. A morning weather anchor in a top-10 media market can earn well into six figures, while an entry-level on-air meteorologist at a small-market station might start in the $30,000 to $45,000 range.
Broadcast meteorologists often begin their careers in smaller cities and work their way up to larger markets where salaries are higher. The progression can take years, and the hours are demanding. Early-morning and late-evening shifts are standard, and severe weather events mean being on-air for extended stretches. The tradeoff is public recognition and, at the upper end, salaries that rival or exceed government pay.
Private Sector and Consulting
A growing number of meteorologists work in the private sector, providing weather intelligence to industries like energy, agriculture, aviation, insurance, and logistics. Companies in these sectors need accurate forecasts to manage risk, route shipments, schedule operations, and price contracts. The BLS median for professional and technical services is $72,280, but specialized consulting roles, particularly in energy trading or risk analytics, can pay considerably more.
Private-sector meteorologists with skills in data science, programming, or machine learning are especially in demand. If you can build forecast models and translate atmospheric data into business decisions, your earning potential climbs well above the median.
How Education Affects Pay
A bachelor’s degree in meteorology or atmospheric science is the standard entry requirement for most positions. The NWS and other federal agencies require specific undergraduate coursework in meteorology, calculus, and physics, even if you hold a degree in a related field like physics or engineering.
A master’s degree opens doors to research positions, university teaching, and higher-level consulting roles. The BLS median of $106,300 for scientific research and $91,410 for state universities gives a rough sense of the salary premium that comes with advanced credentials and the types of jobs they unlock. A Ph.D. is typically necessary for tenure-track academic positions or for leading research teams at agencies and national labs.
For broadcast meteorology, the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) seal is widely valued by employers and can make you more competitive when moving to larger markets.
Entry-Level vs. Experienced Pay
Starting salaries cluster toward the lower end of the range. New graduates entering small-market TV, private weather companies, or entry-level government positions can expect to earn somewhere between $36,000 and $55,000, depending on the employer and location. Federal hires starting at GS-5 or GS-7 will fall in this range before locality adjustments.
Mid-career professionals with 5 to 10 years of experience typically earn between $70,000 and $100,000. At the senior level, meteorologists who have moved into management, specialized research, or large-market broadcasting regularly earn $120,000 or more. The top earners in the field, including chief meteorologists at major TV stations, senior federal managers, and consultants serving high-value industries, can reach $137,000 and above.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects employment for atmospheric scientists to grow faster than average over the coming decade. Demand is driven by the increasing importance of weather data across industries, the need for more precise climate modeling, and the expansion of private weather services. Federal hiring at the NWS tends to be steady, with openings posted on the USAJobs website throughout the year. Private-sector growth is strongest in energy, insurance, and technology companies that are building their own forecasting capabilities.