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Meteorologist Green Job

Meteorologists collect and study data from the atmosphere and oceans to make weather forecasts and carry out research.

Annual Salary

£27,000 to £60,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

39 to 41 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more Meteorologist jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a forecaster you’ll:

  • collect data from satellite images, radar, remote sensors and weather stations
  • measure air pressure, wind, temperature and humidity
  • forecast the weather by analysing information and using computer models
  • give weather information and reports to customers

As a researcher you’ll:

  • study weather patterns and climate change
  • refine computer forecasting models
  • use research to predict floods and droughts
  • study how the weather affects the spread of pollution or disease

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • training with a professional body
University

You'll usually need a degree in meteorology or a related subject like:

  • physical sciences
  • maths
  • geography
  • computer science
  • environmental science

You might need a postgraduate qualification in meteorology or climatology if you want to do research.

You can find out more about relevant degree subjects from the Royal Meteorological Society.

Getting experience of computer modelling during your degree or postgraduate course can be useful in this role.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Volunteering and work experience

You can get  experience with the Met Office 10 week summer internship schemes. There are schemes for different groups, including graduates and A level students who are thinking about meteorology as a career.

Other routes

You can apply to the Met Office for a place as a trainee on their forecasting and observations course.

You'll need a degree or equivalent qualification in science, maths or a related subject like geography. Other subjects may be accepted if you have the right qualities.

More information

Career tips

You can do a short work placement to find out more about meteorology as a career, if you're aged between 13 and 18.

Further information

You can learn more about becoming a meteorologist from the Met Office and the Royal Meteorological Society.

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With experience you could manage a team of meteorologists, weather forecasters or research scientists.

You could also work towards Registered Meteorologist (RMet) or Chartered Meteorologist (CMet) status. Professional registration can help your career development and is recognition of your expertise.

There are lots of opportunities to specialise in this career, for example:working on climate modelling; carrying out polar research; forecasting risks posed by storm systems and flooding

You might also move into teaching and train future forecasters and scientists, or work in scientific publishing.

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/stud...You can learn more about becoming a meteorologist from the Met Office and the Royal Meteorological Society.

How does this job help to address the impacts of climate change and protect wildlife and nature in the West of England?

Meteorologists study weather patterns and climate change, using data analysis and can be involved in research to predict floods and droughts.

There are different routes you can take to get into this role which you can explore further in the 'Routes into this job' section above. 

Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.

Examples of post-16 courses you could study at local schools or colleges

  • Physics, Maths, Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science A-levels

Click here to find a local provider

Examples of post-18 courses you could study at local higher education providers

Click here to search for other university courses

For more information on the different routes you can take to get into working in green finance, take a look at the 'Routes into this job' section above. 

Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.

Local employers 

  • Met Office
  • University of Bristol

For more local employment opportunities see the 'Live job vacancies by region' section above.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of geography
  • knowledge of physics
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent written communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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