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Official Government Science Careers Portal

Meteorologist Salary in Australia (2026 Guide)

The Definitive Guide to Bureau of Meteorology Careers, APS Pay Levels, Aviation meteorologist salaries, qualifications, career progression, and government science opportunities.

Average Graduate Entry

$67,875 – $74,980

Mid-Career Meteorologist

$88,085 – $97,400

Senior / Lead Meteorologist

$120,750 – $143,200

Employer Super Contribution

15.4%

Career Outlook

Strong Growth

Compare Meteorologist Salaries

Interactive Take-Home & Super Calculator

Gross Base Salary

$92,743

Excludes superannuation and allowances

Employer Super (15.4%)

$14,282

Paid directly into your super fund

Estimated Income Tax + Medicare

$21,270

Standard residency rates

Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay

After income tax, levies, and HECS

$71,473

Monthly Net

$5,956

Fortnightly Net

$2,749

Weekly Net

$1,374

What Does a Meteorologist Do?

A meteorologist is a specialized scientist who studies the atmosphere, weather patterns, and climate processes. In Australia, they are critical to public safety, emergency planning, and resource management. They use advanced computer models, satellite systems, weather radars, and oceanographic sensors to monitor atmospheric changes and issue forecasts.

The scope of a meteorologist’s work spans several vital fields:

  • Weather Forecasting: Formulating daily local forecasts, analyzing pressure systems, and predicting rainfall, temperature levels, and wind speeds.
  • Climate Monitoring:Tracking global climate systems, El Niño and La Niña cycles, and analyzing long-term climate trends to support agricultural and infrastructure planning.
  • Severe Weather Warnings: Monitoring and issuing real-time warnings for bushfire danger, tropical cyclones, severe thunderstorms, destructive winds, and flash flooding.
  • Aviation Forecasting: Supporting air traffic control and commercial flight planning by forecasting wind shear, air turbulence, cloud heights, and volcanic ash movements.
  • Marine Forecasting: Directing shipping operations, commercial fishing fleets, and surf rescue organizations by issuing warnings on sea swells, wave heights, and marine gales.
  • Climate Research: Developing and refining high-resolution atmospheric models and mathematical simulations to study extreme weather impacts.
  • Environmental Modelling: Simulating air pollution dispersal, particulate transport, and tracking smoke plumes from planned hazard reduction burns.
  • Satellite Analysis: Processing satellite imagery, infrared measurements, and lidar observations to assess atmospheric moisture and cloud physics.

Meteorologist Salary in Australia

A meteorologist’s salary in Australia depends on their level of experience, specialization, and employer. Base pay rates are highly structured in the public sector, where most meteorology professionals are employed.

  • Graduate Meteorologist: Earns between $67,875 and $78,000 per year. This includes the initial training phase at the Bureau of Meteorology or other agencies.
  • Early Career Meteorologist: Typically commands $85,000 to $97,400 base salary. Professionals at this level are responsible for operational forecasting and supporting aviation/marine duties.
  • Mid-Career Meteorologist: Earns $100,190 to $118,780 base. Forecasters at this level lead shifts, author warning alerts during extreme events, and mentor junior staff.
  • Senior / Lead Meteorologist: Commands $120,750 to $143,200. At this level, scientists lead research programs, direct regional operations, and advise emergency management executives.
  • Chief Meteorologist / Executive Manager: Earns $150,800 to $182,500+. They oversee national warning systems, direct national science programs, and collaborate with international meteorological bodies.

Sector Comparison:The Federal Government (primarily the Bureau of Meteorology and Department of Defence) is the dominant employer, offering secure salaries and a generous 15.4% superannuation contribution. Aviation organizations like Airservices Australia offer higher base salaries to compensate for the commercial pressures of flight scheduling. State emergency services hire meteorologists for disaster planning. In the private sector—especially mining, resources, and renewable energy—experienced meteorologists can earn packages exceeding $180,000 to manage operational weather risks.

Bureau of Meteorology Salary & Careers

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is Australia’s primary meteorological service. It employs the majority of the nation’s meteorologists. Working at the Bureau offers a highly structured career path backed by the Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement.

Key pathways at the Bureau include:

  • Graduate Meteorologist Program: This is the premier entry point. Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science with university-level physics and math. Graduates start at the APS 3 level ($67,875 – $74,980) while completing a Graduate Diploma in Meteorology. Upon graduation, they are promoted directly to APS 5.
  • Operational Forecasting: Forecasters work in major offices across capital cities, supporting aviation, defense, and maritime divisions. Base pay is supplemented by significant shift loading and overtime penalties for night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
  • Research & Model Development: Focuses on computer forecasting models, climate simulation, and data science, mapped to APS 6 and Executive Level (EL 1) structures.
  • Leadership & Warning Services: Senior managers (EL 1 and EL 2) oversee critical warning services during natural disasters and coordinate with state emergency services.

APS Salary Levels for Meteorologists

Public sector meteorologists are classified under standard APSC levels. The table below outlines how typical roles map to these levels:

APS LevelTypical Meteorology RoleSalary Range (Base)
APS 3Graduate Meteorologist (Training)$67,875 – $74,980
APS 4Forecast Support Officer$77,865 – $86,500
APS 5Qualified Meteorologist / Forecaster$88,085 – $97,400
APS 6Senior Meteorologist / Specialist$100,190 – $118,780
EL 1Lead Meteorologist / Principal Researcher$120,750 – $143,200
EL 2Forecast Manager / Chief Meteorologist$150,800 – $182,500

Meteorologist Specialisations

Atmospheric science covers diverse professional directions, each with distinct duties, salaries, and employment sectors:

Weather Meteorologist

The classic operational forecasting role. They monitor short-term atmospheric conditions to produce daily weather forecasts, temperature predictions, and rain probabilities for the general public and media.

Salary Potential: $88,000 – $120,000
Key Employers: Bureau of Meteorology, Private Weather Companies

Climate Scientist

Focuses on long-term weather trends, climate change modeling, seasonal outlooks, and greenhouse gas impact assessments. They analyze historical datasets to predict multi-decade changes.

Salary Potential: $95,000 – $145,000
Key Employers: CSIRO, Bureau of Meteorology, Universities

Marine Meteorologist

Specialises in ocean-atmosphere interactions. They provide specialized forecasts for shipping lanes, offshore oil and gas operations, search and rescue services, and coastal storm surge events.

Salary Potential: $90,000 – $135,000
Key Employers: Bureau of Meteorology, Private Marine & Offshore Consultancies

Aviation Meteorologist

Critical for flight safety. They analyze wind shear, severe turbulence, volcanic ash clouds, and airport visibility to issue weather alerts for domestic and international flight routing.

Salary Potential: $95,000 – $150,000
Key Employers: Airservices Australia, Department of Defence, Bureau of Meteorology

Forensic Meteorologist

Reconstructs historical weather conditions for legal disputes, insurance claims, and accident investigations. They analyze radar, satellite data, and weather station logs to provide expert testimonies.

Salary Potential: $100,000 – $160,000
Key Employers: Private Consulting Firms, Insurance Corporations, Legal Agencies

Research Meteorologist

Develops next-generation computer forecasting models, refines mathematical equations governing fluid dynamics, and integrates satellite observation data to improve forecast accuracy.

Salary Potential: $100,000 – $182,500
Key Employers: Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, Universities

Operational Forecaster

Maintains 24/7 watch over severe weather developments. They issue extreme wind, hail, flood, and fire danger warnings. Shift work is mandatory and penalties apply.

Salary Potential: $90,000 – $130,000 (excluding shift penalties)
Key Employers: Bureau of Meteorology, State Emergency Services

Hydrometeorologist

Studies the transfer of water and energy between the land surface and the lower atmosphere. They model rainfall-runoff, manage flood warnings, and advise on river basin water resource allocations.

Salary Potential: $92,000 – $138,000
Key Employers: Bureau of Meteorology, State Water Corporations, CSIRO

Qualifications & Pathways

Meteorology is a highly technical discipline based on atmospheric physics and complex mathematics. You cannot enter the profession without robust academic credentials.

  • Bachelor of Science (BSc): The baseline requirement. You must major in Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, Physics, Environmental Science, or Mathematics. Your study must include second-year university mathematics covering calculus, differential equations, and classical thermodynamics.
  • Bureau of Meteorology Graduate Program: This program provides the required vocational qualification. Successful applicants are employed at the APS 3 level while completing a Graduate Diploma in Meteorology, covering practical forecasting, radar analysis, aviation support, and severe weather response.
  • Honours, Masters or PhD: Highly recommended for research, model design, and climate analytics. Major agencies (e.g. CSIRO, Bureau of Meteorology Research Division) require a PhD for permanent research classifications.

Career Progression

The operational career path for a meteorologist in Australia is highly structured, progressing from supervised training to independent forecasting, senior shift leadership, and executive program management:

Graduate Meteorologist (APS 3)
↓ [Successful Completion of Training]
Qualified Meteorologist / Forecaster (APS 5)
↓ [2-5 Years Experience, Shift Competence]
Senior Meteorologist (APS 6)
↓ [Leadership, Severe Weather shift manager]
Lead Meteorologist / Principal Researcher (EL 1)
↓ [National Programs management, expert policy advisory]
Chief Meteorologist / Forecast Manager (EL 2)
↓ [Strategic Leadership]
Executive Leadership / Director level (SES)

Salary by Experience

Earning potential increases as meteorologists build shift experience, forecasting accuracy, and leadership capabilities:

Graduate Meteorologist

$67,875 – $78,000

Experience: 0–2 years (training phase) | Equivalent: APS 3 / APS 4

Early Career Meteorologist

$85,000 – $97,400

Experience: 2–5 years | Equivalent: APS 5

Mid-Career Meteorologist

$100,190 – $118,780

Experience: 5–10 years | Equivalent: APS 6

Senior / Lead Meteorologist

$120,750 – $143,200

Experience: 10–15 years | Equivalent: EL 1

Forecast Manager / Chief

$150,800 – $182,500

Experience: 15+ years | Equivalent: EL 2

Key Employers of Meteorologists

Meteorologists are employed across several key organizations in Australia, ranging from federal weather centers to resources consultancies:

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)

Salary Range: $67,875 – $182,500

As Australia’s national weather agency, the Bureau is the largest employer of meteorologists. It offers a structured graduate pathway, professional development, and roles spanning climate research and operational forecasting.

EA Managed Pay Scale

Department of Defence

Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000

Employs civilian and military meteorologists to support RAAF flight operations, naval movements, and tactical army deployments. Provides highly competitive pay scales and security-clearance allowances.

EA Managed Pay Scale

Airservices Australia

Salary Range: $95,000 – $185,000

Manages safe airspace operations. Meteorology specialists advise air traffic controllers on atmospheric risks, severe turbulence, and volcanic ash tracking, offering excellent corporate salaries.

EA Managed Pay Scale

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

Salary Range: $88,085 – $160,000

The aviation regulator. Meteorology experts review aviation safety standards, audit weather reporting infrastructure at major airports, and formulate safety policy.

EA Managed Pay Scale

CSIRO

Salary Range: $78,900 – $185,000

Australia’s premiere scientific research organisation. CSIRO atmospheric scientists conduct cutting-edge climate modeling, carbon budget analysis, and marine atmospheric interface studies.

EA Managed Pay Scale

Universities

Conduct research and teach atmospheric physics, climatology, and mathematical modeling. Roles range from postdocs to tenured professors, funded by Australian Research Council (ARC) grants.

State Emergency Services (SES)

State departments employ meteorologists as disaster management specialists to interpret extreme weather data and direct response workflows during floods, cyclones, and bushfires.

Private Weather Companies

Provide custom forecasting services to commercial clients, including media channels, energy companies, agricultural cooperatives, and event planners.

Mining & Energy

Resources giants recruit meteorological consultants to plan maritime shipping schedules, manage storm risks at offshore oil platforms, and optimize wind/solar generation planning.

Benefits of Government Meteorology Careers

Working as a meteorologist in the federal government or a major agency provides structured benefits that extend beyond standard private contracts:

  • 15.4% Superannuation: Government agencies provide 15.4% employer super contribution, which is significantly higher than the standard 11.5% private sector rate.
  • Shift Penalties: Operational forecasters who work rotating shifts receive loadings (often 15% to 50%) for night work, weekend roster slots, and public holidays.
  • Flexible Work: Access to hybrid work, flex-time credits, and generous roster planning for research and modeling roles.
  • Remote Area Opportunities: Opportunities to work at remote stations, regional airports, or research centers across Australia, supported by remote locality allowances.
  • Professional Development: Continuous technical training on meteorological computer software, radar diagnostics, and satellite interpretation.
  • Conference Funding: Travel support to present climate papers or forecasting studies at national and international meteorological symposiums.
  • Study Assistance: Paid study leave and financial subsidies for completing postgraduate studies (Honours, Masters, or PhD).

Job Outlook

The employment outlook for meteorologists in Australia is strong, driven by several key factors:

  • Climate Change: The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events (such as bushfires, floods, and cyclones) requires robust warning infrastructure and more forecasting professionals.
  • Renewable Energy Integration: Wind and solar energy generators require highly accurate local weather forecasting to manage electricity grid stability.
  • Aviation Growth: The expansion of domestic and international flight routes requires continued aviation forecasting support.
  • Artificial Intelligence: AI is transforming meteorology. Professionals who can bridge the gap between traditional atmospheric physics and machine learning models are in extremely high demand.
  • Government Investment: The federal government continues to invest in national warning systems, climate modeling, and water resource monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a meteorologist earn in Australia?
In Australia, meteorologist salaries start at approximately $67,875 per year for graduates. Experienced operational meteorologists earn between $88,085 and $118,780. Senior and lead meteorologists mapping to Executive Level (EL 1 or EL 2) packages earn from $120,750 to over $182,500, plus superannuation and shift penalties where applicable.
What is the average meteorologist salary?
The average base salary for a qualified mid-career meteorologist in Australia is approximately $105,000 per year. When factoring in standard shift allowances, weekend penalties, and 15.4% government superannuation, total compensation frequently exceeds $125,000.
What does the Bureau of Meteorology pay?
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) maps pay directly to Australian Public Service (APS) bands. Under the BoM Enterprise Agreement, Graduate Meteorologists start at the APS 3 level ($67,875 – $74,980). Qualified operational forecasters are paid at the APS 5 ($88,085 – $97,400) and APS 6 ($100,190 – $118,780) levels. Program managers and research leaders earn EL 1 ($120,750 – $143,200) and EL 2 ($150,800 – $182,500) rates.
Is meteorology a good career in Australia?
Yes, meteorology is an excellent career path in Australia. It offers strong job security (primarily through federal government roles), meaningful work protecting communities from severe weather, competitive pay scales, and a generous 15.4% superannuation package.
How do I become a meteorologist?
To work as a professional meteorologist, you must complete a Bachelor of Science (majoring in atmospheric science, physics, or mathematics) and then secure a place in the Bureau of Meteorology Graduate Meteorologist Program. This intensive program is the primary pathway to professional operational forecasting roles in Australia.
What qualifications are required?
A Bachelor of Science with prerequisites in university-level physics and mathematics (calculus and differential equations) is required. An Honours, Master’s, or PhD in atmospheric science, meteorology, or climate physics is highly regarded, especially for research-focused career paths.
What APS level do meteorologists start at?
Meteorologists in the Bureau of Meteorology Graduate Program begin their training at the APS 3 level. Upon successful completion of the graduate diploma and practical forecasting training, they are promoted directly to the APS 5 level as qualified meteorologists.
What is an aviation meteorologist?
An aviation meteorologist is a specialist who analyzes weather data to produce forecasts and warnings for flight safety. They focus on atmospheric conditions like wind shear, severe turbulence, ice accumulation, and visibility, working for organizations like Airservices Australia, BoM, or Defence.
What is a forensic meteorologist?
A forensic meteorologist is a scientific consultant who analyzes historical weather data to reconstruct conditions during specific past events. They are frequently hired by insurance companies, legal teams, and investigators to determine if weather was a contributing factor in accidents or property damage.
Can meteorologists work remotely?
Yes, depending on the specific role. Climate scientists, research modellers, and policy specialists can work in hybrid or remote structures. However, operational forecasters who work in weather centers or support active military bases are generally required to work on-site in rotating shifts.
Which employers pay the highest salaries?
Private mining, resources, and energy corporations pay the highest base salaries (often exceeding $180,000 for senior risk analysts). Within government, Airservices Australia and specialized Defence civilian roles offer highly competitive pay scales alongside the Bureau of Meteorology.
Is there demand for meteorologists?
Yes. The demand for meteorologists is growing due to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change, expanding aviation networks, investments in renewable energy grids (which rely heavily on wind and solar forecasting), and government commitments to emergency management.
How long does it take to become a senior meteorologist?
It typically takes 5 to 8 years of operational experience after graduating to reach the Senior Meteorologist (APS 6 or EL 1 equivalent) level. This progression depends on demonstrating advanced forecasting capability, leadership during severe weather events, and technical expertise.
What is the salary of a chief meteorologist?
Chief meteorologists and senior executive leaders in weather forecasting divisions earn base salaries ranging from $165,000 to over $220,000 per year. At this level, roles focus on strategic leadership, national warning systems management, and international WMO collaboration.
Can physics graduates become meteorologists?
Yes. Physics graduates are highly sought after by the Bureau of Meteorology because meteorology is fundamentally atmospheric physics. A strong background in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and mathematics is the perfect foundation for the graduate program.