Meteorologists
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Meteorologists study the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere to increase understanding of weather and climate, and to forecast changes in the weather and long-term climatic trends.
Specialisations: Climatologist, Weather Forecaster.
A bachelor degree in science majoring in mathematics, physics or a related field is needed to work as a Meteorologist. Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Tasks
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Studies composition, structure and dynamics of the atmosphere, investigating the direction and speed of air movements, air pressure and temperature, humidity and other phenomena.
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Investigates the nature of solar and terrestrial (infra-red) radiations and effects on the atmosphere.
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Studies physical nature and properties of solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, investigating them as the process of cloud formation, precipitation and electrical disturbances.
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Studies data on atmospheric conditions obtained to prepare weather maps and forecasts for advice to aviation, shipping, agriculture and the general public.
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Studies climatic conditions by analysing meteorological observations made over extended periods of time, and investigates past and possible future fluctuations in climate.
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Employs balloons, rockets and artificial earth satellites and such techniques as spectroscopy, hygrometry, daylight and infra-red photography, radar and radio to obtain data on atmospheric conditions, and directs processing of the data.
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May specialise in a particular area of meteorological science.
Characteristics
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University
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Practical
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Analytical
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Sedentary
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 80% of people employed as Meteorologists work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 14 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Meteorologists work in the Professional, scientific and technical services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Meteorologists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 18.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 42.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 11.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.8 | 10.8 |
TAS | 6.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 3.8 | 1.0 |
ACT | 3.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 87% of Meteorologists live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria and Tasmania have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Melbourne - Inner.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Meteorologists is 42 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 30% of the workforce. This is 18 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Meteorologists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 25.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 28.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 25.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.9 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 42 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in science majoring in mathematics, physics or a related field is needed to work as a Meteorologist. Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Visit
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- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Meteorologists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 68.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 24.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 1.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 2.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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71%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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70%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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61%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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61%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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61%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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59%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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55%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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55%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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54%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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50%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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50%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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48%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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46%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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46%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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46%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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45%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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45%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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43%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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41%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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80%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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77%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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71%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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69%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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66%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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64%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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62%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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60%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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48%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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46%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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43%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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43%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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42%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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39%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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34%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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33%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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30%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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27%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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27%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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26%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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71%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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70%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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70%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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64%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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61%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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59%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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59%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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59%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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57%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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57%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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55%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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55%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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48%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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46%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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45%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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82%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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79%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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79%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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76%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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72%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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72%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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72%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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70%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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68%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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68%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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67%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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66%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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62%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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60%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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59%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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58%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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57%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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55%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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52%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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46%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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95%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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62%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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52%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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52%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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43%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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33%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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76%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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71%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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71%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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71%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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67%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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43%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
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99%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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95%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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94%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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92%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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91%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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90%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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89%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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84%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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83%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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82%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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81%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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79%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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76%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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70%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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68%
Public speakingTalk to a group of people.
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66%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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62%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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61%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-2021.00 - Atmospheric and Space Scientists.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.