How Much Does a Meteorologist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$99,070
Meteorologists in the U.S. earn a median of $99,070 a year, or $47.63 an hour. Half of meteorologists earn more than $99,070 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $161,890.
Pay percentiles for meteorologists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25.51 | $53,060 |
| 25th | $35.26 | $73,350 |
| 50th (median) | $47.63 | $99,070 |
| 75th | $62.48 | $129,960 |
| 90th | $77.83 | $161,890 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Atmospheric and Space Scientists (SOC 19-2021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for meteorologists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $128,800 | $61.92 | +30% |
| California | $124,920 | $60.06 | +26% |
| Hawaii | $121,010 | $58.18 | +22% |
| New Jersey | $120,180 | $57.78 | +21% |
| Idaho | $119,430 | $57.42 | +21% |
| New York | $117,540 | $56.51 | +19% |
| Florida | $115,960 | $55.75 | +17% |
| Arizona | $115,020 | $55.30 | +16% |
| Missouri | $114,230 | $54.92 | +15% |
| Illinois | $112,280 | $53.98 | +13% |
| United States | $99,070 | $47.63 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many meteorologists are there?
BLS counts about 10,000 meteorologists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Atmospheric and Space Scientists”. The most jobs are in Colorado (1,150), Maryland (750) and Texas (720).
The mean (average) annual wage is $106,110, higher than the median of $99,070.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,256
- Biweekly
- $3,810
- Weekly
- $1,905
- Daily (8 hours)
- $381
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do meteorologists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for meteorologists is $47.63. The middle 50% earn between $35.26 and $62.48 an hour.
Which state pays meteorologists the most?
Maryland has the highest median wage for meteorologists at $128,800, +30% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for meteorologists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of meteorologists earn less than $53,060 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.