Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Machines can already do 44% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 74%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 44% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 4% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2028, and 74% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 10,000 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $99,070 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 66% for contact with people.
- Also called: Broadcast Meteorologist, Forecaster, General Forecaster, Hydrometeorological Technician (Hydrometeorological Tech).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics | 16% | 60% to 90% | |
| Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups | 9% | 70% to 95% | |
| Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media | 8% | 35% to 65% | |
| Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate | 6% | 55% to 85% | |
| Prepare weather reports or maps for analysis, distribution, or use in weather broadcasts, using computer graphics | 6% | 35% to 65% | |
| Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting | 5% | 35% to 65% | |
| Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information | 4% | 48% to 78% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills atmospheric and space scientists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Hydrologists68% of tasks by 2035 · US median $96,600
- Microbiologists62% of tasks by 2035 · US median $87,990
- Soil and Plant Scientists68% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,850
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $98,920
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2028. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of atmospheric and space scientists?
Machines can do 44% of the tasks of atmospheric and space scientists today and 74% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-2021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Atmospheric and Space Scientists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/atmospheric-and-space-scientists/