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The differences between meteorologists and environmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a meteorologist has an average salary of $68,815, which is higher than the $54,482 average annual salary of an environmental specialist.
The top three skills for a meteorologist include doppler, remote sensing and satellite imagery. The most important skills for an environmental specialist are hazardous waste, environmental compliance, and hazardous materials.
| Meteorologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $68,815 | $54,482 |
| Hourly rate | $33.08 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 6,214 | 18,074 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 40 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
A meteorologist specializes in understanding and interpreting atmospheric data, usually from weather stations and satellites, and delivering weather forecasts to the public through radio or television. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with different external agencies, developing models for weather prediction, monitoring sea and land patterns, performing research and analysis, and keeping abreast of the latest developments. Furthermore, as a meteorologist, it is essential to update and monitor all records, all while maintaining an active line of communication with the team.
Environmental specialists are experts in natural science who are responsible for monitoring the environmental impact of a population, identifying environmental problems, and recommending measures to solve these issues. These scientists perform various duties and responsibilities that include overseeing field examinations and reporting hazard materials and locations, evaluating environmental health concerns, and investigating preparing reports related to environmental issues. Environmental specialists are also responsible for consulting with agencies or clients about an issue or situation and working with other companies to reduce pollution and waste.
Meteorologists and environmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Meteorologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average salary | $68,815 | $54,482 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $114,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | California |
| Best paying company | Univision Communications | Texas Instruments |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a meteorologist and an environmental specialist in terms of educational background:
| Meteorologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Meteorology | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between meteorologists' and environmental specialists' demographics:
| Meteorologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.3% Female, 23.7% | Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 7.9% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 7.3% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 16% |