How to Become a Meteorologist: Career Guide, Courses, Eligibility, Qualifications, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Skills, Benefits, Salary

Meteorologists study and forecast weather patterns and atmospheric conditions to provide accurate and timely information for various purposes. To become a Meteorologist, candidates must clear class 12 from a recognised board and then pursue a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or a related discipline. While not necessary, it is advisable to pursue higher degrees like a master’s or PhD for better career prospects.

The salary of a meteorologist can vary as per their designation and experience. The average annual salary of a Meteorologist in India is INR 6.8 LPA. The monthly salary ranges from INR 52,123 to INR 53,352 with the highest salary being INR 10 LPA.

Candidates aspiring to become Meteorologists can pursue different courses in meteorology. BSc, BTech, MSc and MTech in meteorology and related disciplines are some of the top courses available. Candidates can also pursue diploma courses to gain skills in specific aspects of meteorology.

How to Become a Meteorologist: Quick Facts

Eligibility to Become a Meteorologist

A bachelor’s degree in meteorology or a related field is the minimum requirement needed to become a Meteorologist in India. Eligibility criteria for different meteorology courses are as follows.

• For diploma courses in meteorology, a minimum of a class 10 degree is required.
• For a bachelor’s degree in meteorology, candidates are required to clear class 12.
• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline if they wish to pursue a master’s degree in meteorology.
• Candidates also have the option to pursue a PhD or MPhil after completing the master’s degree.

Qualifications to Become a Meteorologist

The educational qualifications required to become a Meteorologist are as follows.

• Candidates must clear class 12 from a recognised board from the science stream.
• Candidates should pursue a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or a related discipline like atmospheric science or environmental science.
• Candidates targeting top colleges should have qualified for entrance exams.
• A Master’s degree in meteorology can enhance the prospects for advanced positions and research opportunities.
• Candidates looking for higher education can opt for PhD or MPhil degrees in meteorology or related disciplines.

Steps to Become a Meteorologist

The steps to becoming a Meteorologist are explained in the following points.

• The first step is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or a related discipline.
• Candidates targeting top colleges have to qualify for an entrance exam.
• A master’s degree in meteorology is advisable as it will provide candidates with better career prospects.
• Candidates should seek opportunities to gain practical experience through internships at recognised meteorological institutes. Candidates can develop relevant skills in different aspects of meteorology.
• After completing their education and gaining knowledge and skills, candidates can start looking for job opportunities. They have to start with entry-level positions and gradually advance to higher positions.

Meteorology Courses

There are many courses that students can pursue to become a Meteorologist. Diploma, BSc, BTech, MSc and MTech in meteorology and related disciplines are some of the top courses available. The details for the most popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Entrance Exams

Candidates are required to clear entrance exams if they wish to pursue education in meteorology from some of the top colleges in India. The most common exams meteorology aspirants seek include JEE, DUET, GATE, AIEEE and IIT JAM. The details for some of the top exams are mentioned in the following table.

Top Meteorology Colleges

Courses in meteorology are offered by many colleges in India. The details for top colleges are mentioned in the table below.

Skills Required to Become a Meteorologist

Some of the top skills that a Meteorologist should have are tabulated below.

Benefits of Becoming a Meteorologist

Becoming a Meteorologist offer several benefits, including.

• Contributing to Society - Meteorologists contribute to public safety by providing accurate weather predictions and forecasting severe weather events.
• Dynamic Career - The work of Meteorologists is intellectually stimulating and offers the chance to solve complex problems related to different aspects of weather.
• Research and Innovation - Meteorologist work on developing and improving forecasting models, remote sensing techniques and data analysis contributing to advancements in weather and climate science.
• Global Opportunites - Meteorologists can collaborate with international organisations providing opportunities for global research and cross-cultural experience.
• Job Stability - The demand for skilled Meteorologists remains relatively stable as several organisations and industries rely on accurate weather information for decision-making.

Salary of a Meteorologist

The average annual salary of a Meteorologist in India is INR 6.8 LPA. The average starting salary is 4 LPA with the highest salary being INR 10 LPA. The monthly earning of a Meteorologist in India is between INR 52,123 to INR 53,352. The salaries for different Meteorologist designations are mentioned in the following table.