Why We Love It
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$92,540Potential Avg. Salary
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8.3%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Flexible HoursCareer Attribute
Climatology professors teach college courses in disciplines related to climatology, atmospheric sciences, and meteorology. They may teach broad, introductory courses at the undergraduate level, or advanced, highly specific courses at the graduate level. They create syllabi, lead courses, and grade assignments.
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What is a Climatology Professor?
The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in climatology professor roles:
- Teach college courses in disciplines related to climatology, meteorology, and atmospheric sciences
- Create course syllabi and lesson plans
- Grade student assignments and research papers
- Perform a variety of administrative tasks in support of the climatology department
- Serve on committees or act as advisor for graduate student theses or dissertations
A Day in the Life
The primary responsibility of a climatology professor is to teach weather and climate-related courses at colleges and universities. Climatology professors may teach introductory earth science courses, mid-level courses on meteorology and weather prediction, or advanced courses on climate research, statistics, and evaluation. They teach courses at every level, enabling students to earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the fields of climatology and atmospheric sciences.
In addition to teaching courses, climatology professors must plan coursework and grade student assignments. They may suggest new courses to department leadership, create the syllabi for courses they’re scheduled to teach, and create lesson plans for upcoming classes. They also design and grade student assignments and submit final grades for students at the end of a semester. For those that teach graduate-level courses, they may also be required to serve on committees for theses or dissertations, or to act as advisors to students who are composing these culminating research projects.
Most climatology professors have additional responsibilities outside of the classroom. They usually have administrative responsibilities to complete for their departments and may assist with interviewing new professors or brainstorming ways to increase enrollments. Additionally, most climatology professors are expected to conduct independent research in the field, and a condition of employment or promotion may be publishing research studies and learnings in scholarly and industry journals.
Typical Work Schedule
Climatology professors generally work full-time, but they may have very flexible schedules. They may be able to influence whether they teach courses during the day, in the evening, or on the weekend. They may also have the opportunity to take summers off of work. In general, climatology professors may spend more time grading and planning than teaching, so they’re usually not required to be on campus for a full 40 hours a week—much of their work can be completed at home.
Projected Job Growth
Demand for professors of all types is expected to grow significantly in the coming decade as higher education becomes more accessible and more unavoidable. With most employers now requiring employees to hold college degrees, the demand for professors is expected to grow to meet increased interest in postsecondary education.
Career Progression
- Early Career: Meteorologist, Weatherman, Adjunct Climatology Professor
- Mid-Career: Assistant Climatology Professor, Associate Climatology Professor
- Late Career: Climatology Professor, Assistant Dean, Dean
Typical Employers
Climatology professors are hired by colleges and universities to work in schools with meteorology, climatology, or atmospheric science degree programs.
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How To Become a Climatology Professor
The first step in becoming a climatology professor is to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. Students commonly pursue majors in climatology, meteorology, or atmospheric sciences. With a bachelor’s degree, you can begin earning professional experience in the field by finding entry-level work in weather service or weather reporting organizations. This professional experience will provide you with real-world experience, but you’ll need to continue your education to become a professor.
The next step is to earn a master’s degree. Master’s in meteorology are uncommon, so most aspiring climatology professors pursue master’s degrees in atmospheric sciences or climatology. During this time, it will also be important to begin accruing teaching experience. Some master’s degree programs provide students with teaching assistantships that allow for paid tuition and a stipend in exchange for teaching introductory-level courses in the field of study.
Once you’ve earned a master’s degree, you may also qualify for adjunct instructor positions at colleges and universities. This is another way to earn experience while you pursue a Ph.D.—the final degree needed before you qualify to work as a climatology professor. Again, you’ll enter a program for either climatology or atmospheric sciences, and Ph.D. degrees typically require four years of coursework. However, once you graduate, you’ll have everything needed to begin pursuing tenure-track positions teaching climatology at colleges and universities across the U.S.
Climatology Professor 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
$59,280Average
$92,540High Range
$152,310National Hourly Wage
Low Range
---Average
---High Range
---How do Climatology Professor salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Climatology Professor's can make an average annual salary of $92,540, or --- per hour. On the lower end, they can make $59,280 or --- per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#89 Nationally for All Careers
Above Average Salary Nationally
Highest Education Among Climatology Professors
- 43.3% Doctorate
- 35.7% Masters
- 16.2% Bachelors
- 2% Associates
- 2.4% College
- 0.2% High School
- 0.2% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
13,2002024 Est. Jobs
14,300Job Growth Rate
8.3%Est. New Jobs
1,100How does Climatology Professor 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 14,300 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 8.3% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#265 Nationally for All Careers
Above Avg. Growth Nationally
What Companies Employ The Most Climatology Professors
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 6,700 | 200 | 0% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private | 3,500 | 500 | 1% |
| Junior colleges; local | 2,300 | 300 | 0% |
