Hiring guide · Science, Engineering & Lab
How to Hire a Meteorologist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring meteorologists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $99,070), recruit through community college and university engineering technology and science programs, verify CBM where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for meteorologists
There are about 10,700 meteorologists employed in the U.S., with roughly 800 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +2.6% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $53,060–$73,350 | $25.51–$35.26 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $161,890 | $77.83 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree (typical entry level)
- Atmospheric science
- Calm under pressure
Nice-to-haves
- CBM
- CCM
- Federal meteorologist standards
- Experience with radar systems
Where to find meteorologists
- Community college and university engineering technology and science programs
- Co-op and internship programs
- Professional societies such as ASCE, ASME and IEEE
- Military technical veterans
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Atmospheric Scientist, Weather Forecaster, Broadcast Meteorologist, Climate Scientist
Screening checklist
- Degree, transcript or credential verification (PE, FE, ASCP) where required
- A practical exercise, lab test or CAD drawing review
- Background checks for regulated or secure facilities
- Reference checks focused on accuracy and documentation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Walk me through a forecast.”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
2. “How do you handle a busted forecast?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
3. “What tools do you use?”
What a strong answer includes: List.
4. “Can you work shifts?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
5. “Why meteorology?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Issue a Severe Weather Warning (see the steps)
- Use Ensemble Forecasts (see the steps)
- Explain a Forecast on Air (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Front, Dew point, Doppler radar
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Meteorologist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Meteorologist training. Show them the path forward: Meteorologist Intern → Forecaster → Lead Forecaster → Meteorologist in Charge.
Hiring meteorologists: FAQ
How much should I pay a meteorologist?
The U.S. median wage for meteorologists is $99,070 per year ($47.63/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($73,350), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($129,960). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a meteorologist have?
BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for CBM and CCM where relevant, plus skills such as atmospheric science, forecasting, and radar interpretation.
How long does it take to train a new meteorologist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 4-year degree. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”