Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.
10,000 people do this job in the US. $99,070 a year.
of the working time. Estimate.
- 91%
- 6%
- 3%
Measured, from Anthropic's usage data (2025). Counts help on part of a task.
On the chosen pace and reliability. Estimate.
Share of the working time within reach, now to 2030
What each choice means: , , , , . Every pace starts from .
At this date and pace, models finish tasks up to 4.4 h long four times in five.
How far this has come
With GPT-4, measured in March 2023, 0% of this job's working time was within reach at . With Claude 3.7 Sonnet, measured in February 2025, 0%. With Claude Mythos Preview (early), measured in April 2026, 8%. Today's estimate: 11%.
A backcast: today's task data with the best model METR had measured by each date. It shows how fast the models have moved, not what anyone forecast at the time.
The tasks
Sorted by . 27 tasks from .
| Task | Kind | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 7% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 2.5 work days | 8%Half by Sep 2027 | |
| Develop computer programs to collect meteorological data or to present meteorological information.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 7% | 1.7 work days3.3 h to 1.7 work weeks | 2%Half by Jul 2028 | |
| Analyze climate data sets, using techniques such as geophysical fluid dynamics, data assimilation, or numerical modeling.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 7% | 2.5 work days3.3 h to 2.5 work weeks | 1%Half by Mar 2029 | |
| Prepare scientific atmospheric or climate reports, articles, or texts.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 7% | 4.2 work days6.7 h to 3.5 work weeks | 0%Half by Apr 2029 | |
| Design or develop new equipment or methods for meteorological data collection, remote sensing, or related applications.Done yearly or less by most who do it. | 7% | 1.7 work weeks1.7 work days to 2.3 work months | 0%Half by Jan 2030 | |
| Research the impact of industrial projects or pollution on climate, air quality, or weather phenomena.Done yearly or less by most who do it. | 7% | 1.7 work weeks1.7 work days to 1.5 work months | 0%Half by Oct 2029 | |
| Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 7% | 3.3 work weeks4.2 work days to 2.4 work months | 0%Half by Dec 2029 | |
| Analyze historical climate information, such as precipitation or temperature records, to help predict future weather or climate trends.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 7% | 1.7 work days2.5 h to 1.7 work weeks | 2%Half by Oct 2028 | |
| Conduct wind assessment, integration, or validation studies.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 5% | 4.2 work days6.7 h to 3.3 work weeks | 0%Half by Apr 2029 | |
| Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.Done several times a day by most who do it. | 5% | 2.5 h50 min to 1.3 work days | 35%Half by Jan 2027 | |
| Apply meteorological knowledge to issues such as global warming, pollution control, or ozone depletion.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 4% | 2.5 work days3.3 h to 1.7 work weeks | 1%Half by Nov 2028 | |
| Direct forecasting services at weather stations or at radio or television broadcasting facilities.Done daily by most who do it. | 4% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 4.2 work days | Stays with people |
Within reach, per task: the share of the task's time whose instances are short enough for a model to finish at the chosen date, pace and reliability. Half by: the date half of that time comes within reach.
Jobs that share skills with this one
From O*NET's related occupations. Within reach now and by the end of 2028, long-run pace, four in five.
- Hydrologists0% now, 37% by 2028
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers3% now, 55% by 2028
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists6% now, 66% by 2028
- Data Scientists22% now, 98% by 2028
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians26% now, 95% by 2028
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians13% now, 41% by 2028
Where this job works
The industry groups that employ the most of it (BLS, May 2025).
Where the most of these jobs are
The metro areas with the most people in it (BLS, May 2025).