Why We Love It
-
$90,210Potential Avg. Salary
-
9.3%Job Growth Rate
-
Growing DemandJob Outlook
-
InvestigativeCareer Attribute
Weatherman news anchors are both scientists and showmen who predict and report the weather on local and national news and weather stations. They help people prepare for major weather changes using specialized meteorology tools, and they provide safety information during severe weather events.
Recommended Schools
What is a Weatherman News Anchor?
The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in weatherman news anchor roles:
- Use barometers, computer models, weather balloons, satellites, and radars to predict upcoming weather patterns and severe weather incidents
- Present weather predictions on local and national news and weather broadcasts
- Provide emergency and safety information, and host special broadcasts during weather emergencies
- Generate special graphics to illustrate concepts to audiences during broadcasts
A Day in the Life
Weatherman news anchors are both scientists and showmen: they predict the weather using the diagnostic tools of meteorology, and present their findings to the public on local and national news and weather broadcasts. Weatherman news anchors play an important role in the comfort and safety of the individuals in their broadcast area. They let people know when they may need to take an umbrella to work, when road conditions may be unsafe for driving, and what to do during a weather emergency.
Weatherman news anchors use a variety of tools to predict upcoming weather patterns, changes, and events. They employ the tools of meteorology—computer models, barometers, weather balloons, satellites, and radars—to design the weather forecast. Then, they must create the presentation they’ll give on-air, generating graphics that illustrate the concepts they’re presenting, and putting together their scripts for broadcasts.
When emergency weather situations arise, the weatherman plays an important role in public awareness and safety. Often, news stations interrupt regular programming with live filming of the weatherman who provides updates on severe weather like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, or tsunamis. The weatherman news anchor provides information and guidance to viewers, explaining what they should do to stay safe during emergency weather and where they can find assistance if needed.
Typical Work Schedule
Most weatherman roles are full-time positions, but the career does not guarantee a 9-5 schedule. Weathermen may need to be available to present in broadcasts during any shift, and may even be required to work overnight hours to broadcast information and updates during severe weather.
Typical Employers
Most weatherman news anchors are employed to work for local affiliates of the big three broadcast television networks: NBC, CBS, and ABC. They may also work for specialty news outlets like The Weather Channel or AccuWeather.
Recommended Schools
How To Become a Weatherman News Anchor
The first step in becoming a weatherman news anchor is earning a bachelor’s degree. Most aspiring weatherman news anchors pursue degrees in meteorology or atmospheric sciences, though some colleges offer specialized degrees in broadcast meteorology. For this career, a strong grounding in both the concepts of meteorology and reporting are crucial as weathermen are responsible for both the prediction and presentation of the weather. Individuals pursuing general meteorology degrees often benefit from coursework or minors in journalism or broadcast journalism.
Finding internships during college is an important part of becoming a successful weatherman. To qualify for open weatherman positions after college, you’ll need to have an audition tape with clips of you reporting the weather, and internships can result in these types of clips. With a degree and quality audition tapes, you’ll be ready to start applying for open weatherman roles in small U.S. news markets. Most weathermen begin their careers in small markets and work their way up.
In the beginning, you’ll likely work as an assistant to an experienced weatherman news anchor, helping with prediction duties and creating presentations. You may also have opportunities to present the weather during non-primetime broadcasts. The more experience you earn in these positions, the stronger your audition tapes will become. With stronger audition tapes and more professional weatherman experience, you can begin moving into larger markets and senior-level weatherman roles.
Weatherman News Anchor Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$66,200Average
$90,210High Range
$132,180National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$32/hrAverage
$43/hrHigh Range
$64/hrHow do Weatherman News Anchor salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Weatherman News Anchor's can make an average annual salary of $90,210, or $43 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $66,200 or $32 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#95 Nationally for All Careers
Above Average Salary Nationally
Programs and Degrees
Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Weatherman News Anchor. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.
Highest Education Among Weatherman News Anchors
- 11.1% Doctorate
- 24.7% Masters
- 44.7% Bachelors
- 9.2% Associates
- 10.2% College
- 0% High School
- 0% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
11,8002024 Est. Jobs
12,900Job Growth Rate
9.3%Est. New Jobs
1,100How does Weatherman News Anchor job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 1,100 jobs for a total of 12,900 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 9.3% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#225 Nationally for All Careers
Above Avg. Growth Nationally
What Companies Employ The Most Weatherman News Anchors
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 3,100 | -300 | 0% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 2,500 | 100 | 0% |
| Television broadcasting | 700 | --- | 0% |
