As of February 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Meteorologist in California is $151,272, equivalent to $73 per hour, $2,909 weekly, or $12,606 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Chief Meteorologist in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Chief Meteorologist in California vary widely, spanning from $122,416 to $181,015. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($136,168) and 75th percentile ($166,841), while top earners (90th percentile) make $181,015 per year. This $30,673 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Customer Service or Assembler, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California Chief Meteorologist often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 43 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for Chief Meteorologist job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
