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Military Meteorologists/Oceanographers

Military Career

General Information

Description

Meteorologists and oceanographers in the Military prepare and disseminate weather warnings, watches, and advisories for military installations worldwide. They develop tailored forecasts for special and joint operations. They integrate weather analyses and reports with radar and satellite imagery interpretations to brief personnel on current and forecast weather and its effects on air, land, and sea operations.

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Work Environment

Meteorologists/oceanographers in the military work in a variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors, depending on the area of specialization.  Many meteorologists/oceanographers perform their work in laboratories or offices. Other meteorologists/oceanographers spend extensive hours outdoors collecting and analyzing data in the field.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Related Military Careers

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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Officer
    • Managerial/professional
    • College degree required

Military Workforce

Meteorologists/Oceanographers in the Military

179

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

$50,157

What makes up a military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 50%
  • Master's degree 30%
  • Doctoral degree 15%
  • Some college 5%
  • High school 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Military training

Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for meteorologists/oceanographers primarily consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Like other officers, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, military structure and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Job-specific training content may include: Methods of analyzing weather conditionsIdentification of common weather patternsTechniques and procedures of forecasting

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Military training

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Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for meteorologists/oceanographers primarily consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Like other officers, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, military structure and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Methods of analyzing weather conditions
  • Identification of common weather patterns
  • Techniques and procedures of forecasting

Knowledge

  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.