What does a forecaster do?
Forecaster responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real forecaster resumes:
- Manage all phases of marketing campaign projects from requirements gathering, sales goals, list pulls, and final ROI analysis.
- Execute detailed daily briefings communicating to senior leadership the tropical cyclone conditions and potential impacts to DoD resources.
- Create purchase orders and release materials to satisfy the MPS.
Forecaster skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Forecasters are proficient in SQL, SAS, and PowerPoint. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Forecasters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- SQL, 17%
Crawled stock data of recent one year from Yahoo Finance and stored the dataset in SQL database.
- SAS, 16%
Developed models using SAS to forecast future delinquencies and losses on auto loans and lines of credit.
- PowerPoint, 15%
Conducted training for personnel on safety procedures and forecasting procedures using Excel and PowerPoint.
- Visualization, 13%
Trained five incoming members on processes, procedures and use of the visualization software.
- Data Analysis, 12%
Performed key data analysis and reporting role helping sales organization consistently surpass goals.
- Regression, 7%
Developed economic regression models based on capital M&E as well as cooperative work with Armonk on corporate economic model.
Common skills that a forecaster uses to do their job include "sql," "sas," and "powerpoint." You can find details on the most important forecaster responsibilities below.
Math skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a forecaster to have is math skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "atmospheric scientists must understand the mathematics used to develop models for weather forecasts and to calculate relationships between atmospheric properties, such as how changes in air pressure may affect air temperature." Forecasters often use math skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "used weather forecasting tools, such as mathematical and computer models. "
Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform forecaster duties is analytical skills. Forecasters responsibilities require that "atmospheric scientists need to evaluate large amounts of data produced by computer models." Forecasters also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "worked with unix/linux workstation clusters supporting meteorological analysis and visualization software. "
Communication skills. forecasters are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to forecaster responsibilities, because "atmospheric scientists must be able to write and speak clearly so that their weather information is useful to the public or business clients." A forecaster resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "manage bookings daily to optimize production capacity and sales plan with communication in supply chain. "
The three companies that hire the most forecasters are:
- Uline143 forecasters jobs
- Bank of America7 forecasters jobs
- United Natural Foods7 forecasters jobs
Compare different forecasters
Forecaster vs. Space operations officer
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between forecasters and space operations officer. For instance, forecaster responsibilities require skills such as "sql," "sas," "powerpoint," and "visualization." Whereas a space operations officer is skilled in "gps," "missile," "control systems," and "situational." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that space operations officers earn slightly differ from forecasters. In particular, space operations officers are 9.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a forecaster. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Forecaster vs. Warning coordination meteorologist
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that forecaster responsibilities requires skills like "sql," "sas," "powerpoint," and "visualization." But a warning coordination meteorologist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "government agencies," "customer service," "severe weather," and "decision-making process."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Warning coordination meteorologists tend to reach similar levels of education than forecasters. In fact, they're 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Forecaster vs. Operational meteorologist
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, forecasters are more likely to have skills like "sql," "sas," "powerpoint," and "visualization." But a operational meteorologist is more likely to have skills like "emergency operations," "weather data," "grads," and "military installations."
When it comes to education, operational meteorologists tend to earn lower degree levels compared to forecasters. In fact, they're 7.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Forecaster vs. Hydrometeorological technician
Even though a few skill sets overlap between forecasters and hydrometeorological technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a forecaster might have more use for skills like "sql," "sas," "powerpoint," and "visualization." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of hydrometeorological technicians require skills like "data acquisition," "gis program," "web presence," and "computer system. "
In general, hydrometeorological technicians hold lower degree levels compared to forecasters. Hydrometeorological technicians are 12.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of forecaster
Updated January 8, 2025
