Charting a clear path – meteorology careers in aviation

Imagine being the person who ensures a plane gets life-saving weather information during a storm, or helping Europe's busiest airports keep their flight schedules despite challenging conditions. Picture yourself at the forefront of technology, using cutting-edge satellite data and artificial intelligence to predict weather patterns that keep millions of passengers safe. This is the daily work of aviation meteorologists, and right now, there's never been a better time to pursue this dynamic career.

Recent reports highlight serious shortages in aviation meteorologists, and with the European aerospace sector continuing to grow and evolve towards net-zero emissions by 2050, the need for skilled meteorologists has never been greater.

The critical need

Aviation meteorology is experiencing an unprecedented staffing shortage. In the United States, the aviation meteorologist workforce has dropped to just 69 employees as of June 2025; down from a planned 81 full-time positions. Remote meteorologists are covering multiple regions simultaneously, but they don’t always have the same in-depth knowledge of weather conditions a local meteorologist would have .

There is currently a global shortage of qualified aviation meteorologists, at a time when the aviation industry is experiencing rapid technological advancement and environmental transformation. European aviation is investing heavily in sustainable technologies, air traffic management improvements, and safety enhancements, all of which require sophisticated meteorological support.

Why meteorology is a strong career choice

Growing job market: Employment of atmospheric scientists, including meteorologists, is projected to grow 12% from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand remains particularly high in weather forecasting and climate research. As businesses increasingly recognise weather as a critical factor in operations, new opportunities are emerging in risk management, energy trading, and specialised forecasting.

Competitive salaries: Aviation meteorologists in the United States earn between $72,150 and $130,425 annually, with the average aviation meteorologist salary at $96,278 per year. In Europe, opportunities range from entry-level positions to senior specialist roles at organisations like EUROCONTROL, where network specialists in weather operations work directly with European aviation stakeholders.

Diverse career paths: Meteorology offers numerous specialisation areas beyond traditional forecasting. You could work as:

• Aviation meteorologist supporting airlines and air traffic control
• Research meteorologist developing new forecasting technologies
• Climate scientist studying long-term atmospheric changes
• Network specialist managing weather operations across European airspace
• Private sector consultant serving energy, agriculture, or transportation industries

Education and training

You'll need a bachelor's degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or a related field. Core coursework should include:

• Atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics
• Weather analysis and prediction systems (synoptic/mesoscale meteorology)
• Physical meteorology
• Remote sensing and instrumentation
• Physics with laboratory components
• Calculus sequence including multivariable calculus
• Statistics and computer science applications

Several excellent meteorology programmes exist across Europe:

• University of Trento/University of Innsbruck: Joint Master's in Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics
• University of Birmingham: MSc in Applied Meteorology and Climatology
• Universitat de Barcelona: Master's in Meteorology and Climate Sciences
• Eötvös Loránd University (Budapest): MSc in Meteorology

Specialised aviation training:

Aviation-specific meteorological training is available through organisations like the UK Met Office, which provides Civil Aviation Authority-approved courses for aviation observers. EUROCONTROL offers aviation training courses for air traffic management professionals.

The future outlook

The meteorology profession offers long-term stability and growth potential. Climate change is increasing demand for weather expertise across all sectors, while technological advances are creating new applications for meteorological knowledge. The aviation industry's commitment to sustainability and safety makes meteorologists essential partners in shaping the future of flight.

Young professionals entering meteorology today will be at the forefront of solving some of aviation's most pressing challenges. You'll contribute to safer flights, more efficient operations, and environmental sustainability while building expertise in one of the most technologically advanced scientific fields.

Sources: Government Executive, "Watchdog warns that shortages in aviation meteorologists could endanger flight safety," August 2025; Destination 2050 Roadmap Report 2025; Central Michigan University, "8 reasons meteorology is a career path you don't want to ignore," May 2023; Indeed.com, "Meteorology Airline Jobs," September 2025; ZipRecruiter, "Aviation Meteorologist Salary," July 2025; National Weather Service, "Aviation Career Information," February 2025; American Meteorological Society, "Eligibility requirements for CDM," October 2024; U.S. Office of Personnel Management, "Meteorology Series 1340," February 2025; Universal Weather and Aviation Inc., Meteorologist Salaries, October 2020; EUROCONTROL, "Network Specialist (Weather Operations)," October 2024; Educations.com, "5 Meteorology degrees in Europe," 2025; University of Trento, "Environmental Meteorology and Climate Physics"; CareerPlanner.com, "Atmospheric Scientists Job Outlook," June 2018.