Operational Meteorologist Salary in the United States

How much does an Operational Meteorologist make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operational Meteorologist in the United States is $51,549 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, an Operational Meteorologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $60,107
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $46,161 to $56,028
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,255
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View as table View as graph 25% $46,161 10% $41,255 90% $60,107 75% $56,028 $51,549 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Operational Meteorologist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $56,028 $4,669 $1,077 $27
Average $51,549 $4,296 $991 $25
25th Percentile $46,161 $3,847 $888 $22
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Key Factors That Influence Operational Meteorologist Salaries

An Operational Meteorologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Operational Meteorologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Operational Meteorologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $43,820
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,671
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $56,966
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $71,991
  • Expert (over 8 years): $92,279
Levels Salary
Accounts ... Level Operational Meteorologist$43,820
Operation... Level Operational Meteorologist$52,671
Accounts ... Level Operational Meteorologist$56,966
Accounts ... Level Operational Meteorologist$71,991
Accounts ... Level Operational Meteorologist$92,279
$43,820 0 yr
$52,671 < 2 yrs
$56,966 2-4 yrs
$71,991 5-8 yrs
$92,279 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Operational Meteorologist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Operational Meteorologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $57,075.
  • California: $56,858.
  • Massachusetts: $56,101.

Top Paying Cities for Operational Meteorologists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $65,019
  • San Francisco: $64,307
  • Oakland: $62,951

What Skills Can Increase an Operational Meteorologist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 4.99% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 2.84% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
  • Back Office (Mentioned in 1.1% Job Postings): The back office is the administration and support personnel who are not client-facing. Back-office personnel provide essential functions to the business.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 4.99%
Data Entry 2.84%
Back Office 1.1%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Operational Meteorologist's salary.
  • Results Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • CSR: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Concur: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Results Oriented
$67,013
30%
CSR
$58,250
13%
Concur
$57,219
11%
Leadership
$56,704
10%
Integrity
$55,673
8%
Innovation
$55,673
8%
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Operational Meteorologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Operational Meteorologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Operational Meteorologist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Operational Meteorologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Operational Meteorologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$67,013$32.030%
Biotechnology$64,436$31.025%
Pharmaceuticals$62,890$30.022%
Internet$60,828$29.018%
Aerospace & Defense$59,281$29.015%

Operational Meteorologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Operational Meteorologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Operational Meteorologist

Salaries for an Operational Meteorologist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $46,911 in 2023 to around $45,976 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Operational Meteorologist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Operational Meteorologist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$46,911
2024
$46,262
2025
$45,976
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $46,911
2024 $46,262
2025 $45,976
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Operational Meteorologist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Operational Meteorologist

Here are companies hiring for Operational Meteorologist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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