How to Become a Meteorologist: Courses, Types, Scope, Jobs 2023

The person responsible for monitoring and studying the atmosphere to make predictions for the benefit of the human is called a meteorologist, which is a sub-discipline of earth science.

Meteorologists are in high demand in a variety of government industries including Space research and development agencies, defense research and development organizations, weather forecasting divisions, and mining departments.

Students interested in becoming a meteorologist should take science in class 12.
After, they can pursue BTech in Atmospheric Sciences or BSc in Meteorology, offered by IITs in India, the admissions to which is based on JEE Main scores.
Apart from BTech or BSc, students can also pursue a diploma in meteorology course after class 12th and can take admission in the 2nd year of BTech in meteorology via lateral entry.
MTech or MSc in Meteorology can also be taken up after BTech or BSc, to find better job opportunities and research based positions.

There are many government job vacancies for the post of meteorologists, for which a student can appear for SSC/UPSC/Government exams.

Table of Contents

How to Become a Meteorologist: Quick Facts
Career as a Meteorologist

2.1 Subject Combination

2.2 Eligibility Criteria

2.3 Entrance Exams

2.3.1 JEE Main Important Dates

2.3.2 GATE Important Dates

Types of Careers in Meteorology

Types of Meteorologists

Steps on How to Become a Meteorologist

How to Become a Meteorologist in India

6.1 Courses to Pursue to Become a Meteorologist

6.1.1 BTech in Atmospheric Sciences

6.1.2 BSc in Meteorology

6.1.3 MTech in Meteorology

6.1.4 MSc in Meteorology

6.2 Short Courses on Meteorology

How to Become a Meteorologist: Abroad

7.1 Eligibility

7.2 Top Colleges

Benefits of a Career as a Meteorologist

Top Recruiters

Salary of a Meteorologist in India

FAQs

A meteorologist can earn around INR 3,60,000 in the start by joining Meteorological Research Centre, Meteorology Department in States and Centre, Agricultural Planning Divisions, Air Crafts and Missile Manufacturers, Weather Consulting Organisations, etc. With years of experience, the salary can go up to INR 1,50,000 per month.

Quick facts For How to Become a Meteorologist

Industry	Agriculture, Space, Defence
Eligibility	10+2 With Science Stream
Average Starting Salary	INR 3,60,000
Job Opportunity	Meteorological Research Centre, Meteorology Department in States and Centre, Agricultural Planning Divisions, Air Crafts and Missile Manufacturers, Weather Consulting Organisations, Navy, Air Force

All About Career as a Meteorologist

Meteorologists research the properties and mechanisms of the atmosphere, as well as how they shape and evolve the climate, in addition to predicting the weather. They also study global change and climate variability. Meteorologists come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Forecasting the weather is the responsibility of an operational meteorologist.
A climatologist collects and analyses seasonal variations over long periods of time, such as months or years.
Physical meteorologists study the atmosphere and its many physical properties.
A synoptic meteorologist employs statistical simulations and develops methods such as weather forecasting applications.
An environmental meteorologist investigates issues such as air pollution, which has an effect on the Earth's atmosphere.

How to Become a Meteorologist: Subject Combination

In order to pursue a career as a meteorologist, you need to opt for science right after class 12th. Depending on whether you want to pursue a BTech or BSc in meteorology course after 12, the following subject combinations you can choose.

Physics
Chemistry
Maths (If you want to pursue BTech in meteorology)
Biology (If you want to pursue BSc in meteorology)
Computers as an additional subject.

How to Become a Meteorologist: Eligibility Criteria

Class 10 is the minimum requirement for obtaining a Diploma in Meteorology.
The major prerequisite for obtaining a B.Sc or B.Tech in Atmospheric Science is a Class 12 in Science stream or a Diploma in Meteorology.
To be admitted, candidates must pass national-level entrance exams such as JEE Main/ JEE Advanced or state-level engineering entrance exams.
The eligibility criteria for M.Tech or M.Sc in Meteorology is B.Tech/ B.Sc in Meteorology.
A valid GATE score is required for entry to several institutes that offer M.Tech/M.Sc programs.

Entrance Exams

Candidates must pass national-level entrance exams such as JEE Main / JEE Advanced or state-level engineering entrance exams for admission to BTech in meteorology.
For MTech or M.Sc in Meteorology, the students need to appear for the GATE entrance exam.

Types of Careers in Meteorology

When thinking about meteorology as a career, there are 4 possible dimensions where you can establish yourself as a meteorologist.

Broadcaster

Broadcast meteorologists work for television channels, media and radio shows.
They curate and provide forecasts to the public.
In other words, just like news reporters who deliver the news, broadcast meteorologists deliver the news about weather.

Researcher

A research meteorologist studies weather in depth, like severe weather or climate changes. They are also responsible for developing tools like radar or weather models to help other meteorologists in their jobs.
They mostly work behind the cameras and study historical data on the atmosphere to find clues that help understand how weather events shape the earth's ecosystems.
If you’re looking for a job that is highly reputed, you’ll find it as a researcher in the field of meteorology.

Military and Airline Forecaster

Military and Airline Forecasters are the one who are responsible to check the climate conditions for a flight.
If you’ve ever had a flight canceled due to precarious weather conditions, know that the decision was made with your safety in mind.
Similarly, they also make weather forecasts for flights, deployments, air strikes, space launches and other missions around the world.

Teaching

The only way to make sure the next generation of meteorologists are prepared to navigate future challenges is by teaching.
Meteorologists with PhD degrees teach aspiring meteorologists. These jobs are at colleges or universities that offer degrees in meteorology or one of the specializations.
Meteorology professors also work for the government or the military and oversee research projects that graduate students undertake while completing their education.

Types Of Meteorologist

Meteorologists' job duties, on the other hand, can be varied, and the occupations can be split into four divisions based on the type of the work responsibilities. The below are the four different technical categories:

Industrial Meteorologists

Industrial Meteorologists are responsible for studying industrial pollutants and emissions and finding a solution to control such emissions and industrial pollution, as they have a major impact on the weather.

Physical Meteorologists

Physical meteorologists study the physical and chemical nature of the atmosphere, and its optical, acoustical and electrical properties. They figure out the problems related to these properties of atmosphere and plan out solutions based on study and research.

Research Meteorologists

Research meteorologists analyse and interpret the data relating to precipitation, humidity, wind, and temperature by studying the patterns of climate and weather.

Meteorologist Professor or Lecturer

They are responsible for teaching students about metrology at bachelors or masters level. After clearing UGC-NET, candidates can become a meteorologist lecturer or professor at top IITs or other colleges that offer a meteorology course.

Steps on How to Become a Meteorologist

Apart from the eligibility criteria and courses that you need to take up right after class 12th to become a meteorologist, here are some other steps that you need to follow prior to such decision making.

Decision Making

If you have an interest in research related to space and climate then you can pursue this course. If you are good at handling pressure and sudden workload situations then you can choose this course because during natural calamities you have to handle that situation in a decent way.

Choose Subjects Wisely

You can take up science stream with physics, chemistry, biology or mathematics as the core subjects and computers as an additional or optional subject.

Prepare for Entrance Exams

If you plan to get into IITs that offer a BTech or BSc course in meteorology you have to Pass JEE Mains and then JEE Advance. For preparation, you can follow the following methods

Revise class 10+2 syllabus thoroughly.
Solve past 10 years' question papers.
Understand the exam pattern of JEE Main.
Practice using mock tests.

Choose the Right College

These are some top college which offers meteorology course in India:

Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala	Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh	Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, West Bengal
Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Maharashtra	-

How to Become a Meteorologist In India

A degree in meteorology or atmospheric science is required for students interested in pursuing a career in meteorology.
Students must complete their 12th-grade with science and computers as main subjects.
Students must complete their graduation with a B.Tech or B.Sc. in atmospheric science after completing the 12th grade.
Students who want to pursue a career in meteorology but have already earned a bachelor's degree in another research discipline can do so by enrolling in MTech or MSc in meteorology.
Candidates who pursue a master's degree would be able to teach Meteorology at every reputable university or college.
Students who have developed a strong interest in meteorology research and development and who want to contribute to future studies will enroll in the Ph.D. program in atmospheric science.
This course will provide them with a broad understanding of the relevant category, as well as the opportunity to discover new aspects of atmospheric science through experimental study.

Courses to Become a Meteorologist

Broadly there are few courses dedicated to meteorology in India, i.e. BTech/BSc/MTech/MSc in Meteorology. The details of these courses are mentioned below:

BTech in Atmospheric Sciences

BTech Atmospheric Sciences is a 4-year Undergraduate program that deals with the study of earth’s atmosphere and its physical properties, motions, ecosystem and how these affect the climate and human life.
To be eligible, students must have completed 10+2 level with PCM from a recognized board.
IIT Delhi and Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala are the only two colleges that offer this course. The admissions are based on JEE Main 2023 score.
The average course fee of BTech Atmospheric Sciences in top colleges ranges between INR 1,00,000 to 4,00,000.
After BTech Atmospheric Sciences, you can work as Meteorologist, Atmospheric Scientist, Climatologist, Environmental Meteorologists in government and private organizations, like Indian Meteorological Department, INCOIS Hyderabad, TERI, Siemens, Intel etc.

BSc in Meteorology

B.Sc. Meteorology is an undergraduate Meteorology course of 3 years that deals with the study of different phenomena of atmosphere along with forecasting of weather.
A candidate with 50% marks in 10+2 is eligible to pursue BSc in meteorology. Some colleges take entrance tests for admissions.
ABV Government Degree College, Warangal offers BSc in meteorology.

MTech in Meteorology

MTech Meteorology is a postgraduate Meteorology course of 2 years duration. It is a sub-discipline of Atmospheric science that focuses on physical, dynamical (a force producing change or motion), and chemical state of the Earth's atmosphere and Earth's surface.
During the course curriculum, Students carry out research in Meteorology and show their results at conferences and scientific publications.
Students should have a B.E./B.Tech degree in relevant subject with 60% marks from a recognized institute. The admission is based on GATE 2023 scores.
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune is the most famous institute that offers MTech in meteorology.

MSc in Meteorology

MSc Meteorology is a 2-year postgraduate course in the study of weather and climate. It uses the combination of science and weather to understand the underlying principles of forecasting weather, understanding soil condition, and other dimensions.
To be eligible, students are required to have a B.Sc. degree in the relevant stream with Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics as the main subject with 50% marks from a reputed university. Admissions to the course is done on a Merit basis.
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Andhra University, Kalinga University, Jain University, Chandigarh University are the top colleges that offer MSc meteorology. The average fee charged ranges from INR 4,950 to 24 Lakhs.
MSc Meteorology has various opportunities in the area of Agriculture, Weather Service Forecasting, Environmental Consultancy. The average salary ranges from INR 2 to 18 lakhs per annum soon after completing the course.

Short Courses on Meteorology

There are many short courses on climate studies and meteorology that students can pursue along with degree courses, the details of which are mentioned below:

Course Name	Duration	Cost
Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance Summer Academy	5 days	INR 385623.96
Certified Expert in Climate Adaptation Finance	6 months	INR 139003.98
Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - Addressing Sustainability and Development	1 month	Free
Environment - Journeys through a Changing World	-	INR 319260.77
Urban Management Tools for Climate Change	3 weeks	INR 246619.97
Global Climate Change and Health	2 weeks	INR 98020.23
Sustainable Finance and Climate Change	2 weeks	INR 123758.39

How to Become a Meteorologist Abroad

The process of becoming a meteorologist Abroad is the same as in India you have to apply for the Job role according to your classification.

Eligibility

BSc or Btech from Recognized college.
Passing language proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS (whichever applicable)
You must know to speak English or the native language of that country.

Colleges Offering Meteorology Courses Abroad

The World Ranking	College Name
149	Durham University
201	Virginia Tech
201	University of Reading
401	Iowa State University
501	Victoria University of Wellington
801	Florida Institute of Technology

Benefits of Career as Meteorologist

Salary

Meteorologists would not be paid any less, particularly in private companies. After completing a bachelor's degree in meteorology, a fresher will earn more than Rs 40,000 per month.
An individual with a postgraduate degree in meteorology can expect to earn at least Rs 80,000 per month.
The salary will be improved after receiving on-the-job experience. For applicants with a Ph.D. in meteorology, the sky's the limit.

Job Security

If you get a government job then there is 100 percent job security. If you choose for Private sector jobs then it depends on your work and experience, but the incentives and the career growth will surely be higher.

Positive Career Growth

This is the perfect career choice for students interested in learning more about the atmosphere and climate. If the students discover that this is not the profession for them, they should search for jobs in environmental engineering or the mining industry.

Higher Education

Meteorologists have always the option to pursue higher education to have better job opportunities and lucrative salary. The following are some courses you can pursue after BTech in meteorology:

M.Tech Meteorology
MSc in Meteorology
PhD

Skill Required to Become a Meteorologist

Strong analytical skills	Practical skills
Ability to work with details	Computer & interpretative skills
Accuracy	Patience
Power of observation	Good communication skill

Career in Meteorology: Top Recruiters

Indian Meteorology Department	Defense Research and Development Organisation
National Remote Sensing Agency	Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Space Application Centre	Indian Air Force
Department of Science and Technology	Indian Space Research Organisation
Universities and Colleges	Agricultural Universities
Department of Agriculture Organisation	-

Salary Of Meteorologist In India

In an agriculture research and development center, Junior Scientists may earn between INR 25,000 and 30,000 per month. Professionals with additional experience and skills can earn up to INR 60,000 to 1.5 lakh per month in a defense research and development center.

The majority of Senior Meteorologists prefer the space research and development industry to further their technical careers, and this field pays the most. In this sector, senior professionals will earn up to INR 2.5 lakh per month.

Organization	Salary of Junior Scientists	Salary of Executive Scientists	Salary of Senior Scientists
Meteorological Research Centre	INR 40,000/month	INR 50,000-70,000/month	INR 80,000-100,000/month
Agricultural Planning Divisions	INR 25,000-35,000/month	INR 45,000/month	INR 65000/month
Weather Consulting Organisations	INR 35,000-55,000/month	INR 60,000-70,000/month	INR 80,000-1.5 lakh/month
Air Force	INR 45,000-60,000/month	INR 65,000/month	INR 100000/month

How To Become a Meteorologist: FAQs

Ques. What is the average salary of a meteorologist in India?

Ans. In India, a meteorologist's average pay ranges from INR 1.5 LPA to INR 6 LPA.

Ques. What is the minimum education required to become a meteorologist?

Ans. A B.Tech or B.Sc degree in meteorology is required to work as a meteorologist.

Ques. Who is considered as the “Father of Meteorology”?

Ans. Englishman Luke Howard is considered as the “Father of Meteorology”.

Ques. Do all the IITs offer meteorology courses?

Ans. IIT Delhi and IIT Kharagpur, as well as other institutions such as IISc Bangalore, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Cochin University of Science and Technology Kerala, and others, currently offer meteorology courses.

Ques. What do meteorologists study?

Ans. Meteorologists are scientists who research how the climate, atmospheric phenomena, and atmospheric impacts affect our weather.

How to Become a Meteorologist: Career Guide, Courses, Job Profiles & Salary 2023