Skip to content

Showcase your skills, achievements and set goals. Build your profile today!

My World of Work

Meteorologist

Ready to become a climate expert? Meteorologists work with data to predict the weather and impacts of climate change.

About the job

Salary (before tax)

Entry

£27,000

Arrow

Experienced

£60,000

In this job, new workers in Scotland start around £27,000 per year. Experienced workers can earn up to £60,000.

What it's like

You'd collect and analyse data to predict the weather. Your reports would be vital for people who work outdoors, such as farmers. They'd also be crucial for aircraft pilots and the crews of ships at sea.

You'd study the earth's atmosphere, climate and weather.

You could specialise in one of two main areas – forecasting or research.

In forecasting, you could:

  • collect data from satellite images, radar, remote sensors and weather stations all over the world

  • measure air pressure, wind, temperature and humidity

  • apply computer models and scientific principles to make short-range and long-range weather forecasts

  • supply weather data, bulletins and reports to customers.

Your weather forecasts could be for the general public or could be specialist reports for agriculture, aviation or the armed forces.

In research, you could:

  • investigate weather patterns and climate change

  • develop and improve computer forecasting models

  • apply research to practical problems, such as predicting floods or how the weather affects the spread of pollution or disease

At the start of your career in either area, you might observe and record the weather, produce charts and help senior staff.

With experience, you would take on more complex work and present your findings at meetings and conferences.

Green job 

In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.

Explore more information about this job

Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:

Like the sound of this career?

Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Meteorologist'

Select qualification level(s)

Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.