Monitors the Sun and near-Earth space to forecast solar flares, radiation storms and geomagnetic storms that affect satellites, power grids, GPS and flights. BLS does not publish separate figures for atmospheric and space scientists; it counts them within atmospheric and space scientist (SOC 19-2021), whose median pay is $99,070 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-2021
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Space Weather Forecaster in four numbers
- Median pay
- $99,070a year, or $47.63/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $53KTop 10% $162K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.6%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 80010,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202510.7K
- Projected 203510.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 10.7K Projected 2035 10.9K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's60%
- Master's20%
- Doctorate15%
- Post-doctoral training5%
Highest education held by atmospheric and space scientists Segment Value Bachelor's 60% Master's 20% Doctorate 15% Post-doctoral training 5%
Also advertised as: Space Weather Analyst, Space Weather Scientist, Solar Forecaster, Physical Scientist (Space Weather).
Pay
How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make?
Every space weather forecaster in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$99,070
Middle half earn $73,350 to $129,960
- 10th
- $53,060
- 25th
- $73,350
- 75th
- $129,960
- 90th
- $161,890
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $53,060 |
| 25th | $73,350 |
| Median | $99,070 |
| 75th | $129,960 |
| 90th | $161,890 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $99,070
- Median hourly wage
- $47.63/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $106,110
- People employed
- 10,000
Versus all US occupations
At $99,070, Atmospheric and Space Scientists earn 94% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $48,090 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 20% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $161,890 or more while the bottom 10% earn $53,060, a gap of 3.1×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 72% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Maryland posts the highest raw median ($128,800), but once local prices are taken into account Missouri leads at $125,780 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Atmospheric and Space Scientists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Maryland | $128,800 | $122,715 | 750 |
| 2California | $124,920 | $112,825 | 510 |
| 3Hawaii | $121,010 | $110,058 | 70 |
| 4New Jersey | $120,180 | $110,454 | 60 |
| 5Idaho | $119,430 | $125,065 | 50 |
| 6New York | $117,540 | $108,913 | 370 |
| 7Florida | $115,960 | $112,132 | 270 |
| 8Arizona | $115,020 | $114,247 | 80 |
| 9Missouri | $114,230 | $125,780 | 160 |
| 10Illinois | $112,280 | $112,327 | 110 |
Job outlook
Is Space Weather Forecaster a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | +2.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Atmospheric and Space Scientists to change 2.6% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 800 openings are projected each year, 7.5% of the 10,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Space Weather Forecaster
SWPC forecaster positions are posted on USAJOBS under the Physical Scientist title, and applicants need a degree in physics, space physics, astronomy, meteorology or a related physical science. Graduate study in solar or space physics is common, and experience with space weather data or models is a strong advantage.
The military trains weather officers and enlisted specialists in space weather operations, which leads to civilian roles. The American Meteorological Society and the American Geophysical Union's space physics section are the main professional communities.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as atmospheric and space scientists.
- Bachelor's Degree60%
- Master's Degree20%
- Doctoral Degree15%
- Post-Doctoral Training5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 60% |
| Master's Degree | 20% |
| Doctoral Degree | 15% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Space Weather Forecaster do?
Space weather forecasters watch the Sun for flares and coronal mass ejections, then predict how the resulting radiation and magnetic disturbances will affect Earth. At NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado, forecasters work shifts analyzing satellite imagery, solar wind measurements, magnetometer data and model output, and issue watches, warnings and alerts.
Their customers include power grid operators, satellite operators, airlines flying polar routes, GPS and communications users, NASA and the Department of Defense. Forecasters brief agencies before major storms and work on improving forecast tools. The U.S. Air Force and Space Force also run space weather operations, and private companies serve satellite and aviation clients.
Day-to-day tasks
- Monitor solar imagery and solar wind data for flares and eruptions
- Forecast the arrival and strength of geomagnetic storms
- Issue space weather watches, warnings and alerts
- Brief power grid, satellite, aviation and defense customers
- Interpret model output for solar wind and radiation conditions
- Verify forecasts and help develop new forecasting tools
- Coordinate with international space weather centers
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Forecasters work in a 24-hour operations center, so rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays are standard. The work is screen-based and team-oriented. Quiet days involve product development and training, while major solar storms bring intense, high-visibility periods of briefings to government and industry.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Writing3.9
- Mathematics3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Instructing3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Persuasion2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Space Weather Forecaster?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code ICR) built on O*NET's Atmospheric and Space Scientist profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Space Weather Forecaster |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.3
- Realistic4.9
- Conventional4.8
- Artistic2.7
- Enterprising2.7
- Social2.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Space Weather Forecaster
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Geoscientist, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$101,920median a year
Most earn $59K to $200K
+5.1%Bachelor's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
Remote Sensing Scientist and Technologist
$122,570median a year
Most earn $67K to $195K
+2.1%Bachelor's - Computer and Mathematical
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More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with atmospheric and space scientists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Space Weather Forecaster$99,070
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Space Weather Forecaster | $99,070 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Space Weather Forecaster appears on
Questions
Space Weather Forecaster: frequently asked questions
How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for atmospheric and space scientists. It counts them within atmospheric and space scientist, whose median pay is $99,070 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $73,350 and $129,960, and the top 10% earn $161,890 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Space Weather Forecaster?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Atmospheric and Space Scientists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 60.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Space Weather Forecaster a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.6% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Space Weather Forecaster do?
Space weather forecasters watch the Sun for flares and coronal mass ejections, then predict how the resulting radiation and magnetic disturbances will affect Earth. A typical task: monitor solar imagery and solar wind data for flares and eruptions. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Atmospheric and Space Scientists the most?
The highest state medians for Atmospheric and Space Scientists are Maryland ($128,800), California ($124,920), Hawaii ($121,010) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Missouri moves to the top at $125,780.
What personality type suits a Space Weather Forecaster?
O*NET scores Atmospheric and Space Scientists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, INTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.