To become a meteorologist, you'll usually need a bachelor's degree in meteorology, atmospheric science or a related physical science, and a master's or PhD for research roles. For US federal weather jobs, the degree must include at least 24 semester hours of meteorology plus physics and differential equations. In the UK, the Met Office runs a trainee forecasting programme.
Meteorologists study the atmosphere and forecast the weather, whether that's for a government weather service, a TV station, an airline or a research lab. The degree is the gate, and the exact courses you take matter more than most students realise. Here's the route, using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) handbook, the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) standard for federal meteorologists and the UK National Careers Service, all read in October 2026.
Meteorologist requirements at a glance
| What the sources say | |
|---|---|
| Entry degree (US) | Bachelor's in meteorology or a related physical science |
| Research roles | Usually a master's degree or PhD |
| Federal jobs | At least 24 semester hours of meteorology or atmospheric science, plus physics and differential equations |
| Certification | Not required, but can help in some fields |
| UK | A degree in meteorology or a related subject, or the Met Office Foundation Operational Meteorology Programme |
How to become a meteorologist, step by step
- Take maths and science seriously early. Physics, mathematics and computer programming all feature in meteorology degrees.
- Choose the right degree. Meteorology or atmospheric science is the direct route. BLS says a related physical science can work too.
- Check your courses against the federal list. If government forecasting is your goal, make sure your degree covers everything in the OPM standard below.
- Get experience. BLS says internships or volunteering while at college can help.
- Go further for research. Research roles typically need a master's or PhD. Graduate programs may accept a bachelor's in maths, physics or engineering.
The coursework rule that decides federal jobs
This is the detail I'd want every student to know before choosing modules. The federal government is the biggest employer of meteorologists, with 26% of jobs, and BLS says most of them work as forecasters with the National Weather Service. To qualify, the OPM standard for the Meteorology Series 1340 says your degree must include:
- at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in meteorology or atmospheric science, including:
- 6 semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics
- 6 semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems
- 3 semester hours of physical meteorology
- 2 semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere or instrumentation
- 6 semester hours of physics, with at least one lab course
- 3 semester hours of ordinary differential equations
- at least 9 semester hours from subjects such as statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology or computer science
Calculus is a prerequisite or corequisite for the dynamics, physics and differential equations courses. So a general environmental science degree with a single weather module won't get you a federal forecasting job. Check the list against your course catalog before you enrol.
How to become a meteorologist in the UK
The National Careers Service says you'll usually need a degree in meteorology or a related subject such as physical sciences, maths, geography, computer science or environmental science, with 2 or 3 A levels including a science to get on the degree. Postgraduate study helps for research.
The other route is the Met Office itself. You can apply for a trainee place on its Foundation Operational Meteorology Programme with a degree in science, maths or a related subject such as geography. The Met Office also offers work experience for young people and industrial placements for university students.
What meteorologists earn
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median annual wage of $99,070 for atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists, in May 2025. The employer makes a big difference:
| Employer type (US, May 2025) | Share of jobs (%) | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific research and development services | 10 | $127,960 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 26 | $122,700 |
| State colleges, universities and professional schools | 14 | $103,970 |
| Publishing, broadcasting and content providers | 14 | $80,060 |
| Other professional, scientific and technical services | 18 | $78,610 |
Here's the catch for anyone dreaming of TV. Broadcasting paid well under the federal government, and it's one of the lowest-paying employers in the table. BLS also notes that not every weather presenter on TV is a meteorologist, since reporters can present forecasts without specific training.
Job outlook
Schedules vary. BLS says some meteorologists work shifts to give 24-hour coverage, broadcast meteorologists may work nights and weekends, and many work extended hours during severe weather such as hurricanes. If you like a predictable nine to five, research or teaching roles are a better fit than operational forecasting.
This is a small field. BLS counts about 10,700 jobs in 2025 and projects 3% growth to 2035, with about 800 openings a year. Competition is real, so the right coursework and an internship give you an edge.
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My verdict
Becoming a meteorologist starts with a degree, but not just any science degree. If you want to forecast for the government, the 24 semester hours of meteorology plus physics and differential equations are non-negotiable, so plan your modules from year one. In the UK, look at the Met Office trainee programme alongside the degree route.
Frequently asked questions
What degree do you need to be a meteorologist?
BLS says you typically need a bachelor's degree in meteorology or a related physical science. Research roles usually need a master's degree or PhD.
How many meteorology credits do you need for a federal job?
The OPM standard for the Meteorology Series 1340 asks for at least 24 semester hours of meteorology or atmospheric science, plus 6 semester hours of physics and 3 of ordinary differential equations.
How much do meteorologists make?
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median annual wage of $99,070 for atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists, in May 2025. The federal government paid a median of $122,700.
Do TV weather presenters need to be meteorologists?
Not always. BLS notes that reporters and broadcast news analysts may present the weather without specific training in meteorology.
How do you become a meteorologist in the UK?
You'll usually need a degree in meteorology or a related subject. You can also apply for the Met Office Foundation Operational Meteorology Programme with a science, maths or related degree.
