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Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers: what changes?

Consider Atmospheric and Space Scientists if you want to investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Consider Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers if you would rather study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Atmospheric and Space Scientists and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences
What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

National median pay (2025)
$99,070
Route into the job
Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
800
Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (10,700 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Atmospheric and Space Scientists brief

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

National median pay (2025)
$101,920
Route into the job
Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
1,800
Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on projected growth

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers is at 5.1% projected growth, compared with 2.6% projected growth for Atmospheric and Space Scientists.

2

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on annual openings

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers is at 1,800 annual openings, compared with 800 annual openings for Atmospheric and Space Scientists.

3

Typical preparation differs.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists: Bachelor's degree Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers: Bachelor's degree Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

4

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on median pay

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers is at $101,920, compared with $99,070 for Atmospheric and Space Scientists.

44.8/ 100

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

vs
53.6/ 100

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

DimensionAtmospheric and Space ScientistsGeoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Median pay (2025)$99,070$101,920
Pay percentile81.9 percentile84 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)2.6%5.1%
Annual openings (2025–2035)8001,800
2025 employment10,70025,400
How you qualifyBachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 4Job Zone 5
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job trainingBLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Atmospheric and Space Scientists briefRead Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers brief

Try another comparison

Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Hydrologists

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists
$99,070 · 2.6% growth
Hydrologists
$96,600 · 1.5% growth
Compare careers →

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers vs Hydrologists

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$101,920 · 5.1% growth
Hydrologists
$96,600 · 1.5% growth
Compare careers →
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