What is the approx. annual salary range or hourly wage of a weather forecaster?

Question

What is the approx. annual salary range or hourly wage of a weather forecaster?

Answer 1

Hey Pal,

It really depends on what organization you work for.

If you work for the government or military you will make a maximum of $80,000 plus benefits. Now that's not saying if you obtain a leadership position within the NOAA or NWS where you can make upwards to $100,000.

If you work for a corporation such as The Weather Channel or Accuweather you can expect to make a maximum of $250,000.

A simplistic breakdown would look like this:

Observer:

Government/Military $20,000-$40,000

Private-N/A

Forecaster

Government/Military $60,000- $100,000+

Private: $75,000-$250,000

Then you can have extras if you are into R&D. It's just like anything, if you work hard, you will get paid better.

Answer 2

The following are with no experience:

Aviation forecaster: Starting around 32,000K w/ increases about 5-10% per year

NWS/Govt - Starting around 30-36K per year, increases quick in the first 2-3 years to near 50K, then slow increases thereafter... max of about 110,000 or maybe more in some cities as a MIC

Marine - about that of aviation

News stations - small market weekend MET about 20K start (c**p) but if you are good at it and get into a big market, the sky is the limit (high risk/reward)

Energy companies - start at 40-50K, with good increases thereafter...  

A lot of this depends on where you live.  For example, a job in the midwest that is private may start at 40K, but the same job in NYC would start at 60K.

Answer 3

~20,000 to 2,000,000

Answer 4

depends on your college degree.  Most news stations require a full meteorologist education and computer training for radar tech.  You cant just stand up in front of a green screen and tell people "the computer says its going to rain today"