Skip to content

Prototype—not an official NYS Department of Labor service

Start over

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

The short answer

This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 40 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.

How much AI could touch this job

Most exposedband 5 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with more than half of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 93% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  2. Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Collect air samples from planes or ships over land or sea to study atmospheric composition.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Measure wind, temperature, and humidity in the upper atmosphere, using weather balloons.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Physicists

    Very similar work
    +55% pay115 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 55% more—$187,061 vs your $120,831 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Oral Expression
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Number Facility
    • Originality
    • Fluency of Ideas
  • Physical Scientists, All Other

    Very similar work
    about the same pay144 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about the same—$121,115 vs your $120,831 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Geography
    • Mathematics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Written Comprehension
    • Reading Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Biology
    • Production and Processing
    • Systems Evaluation
  • Computer Occupations, All Other

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay1,270 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$120,267 vs your $120,831 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Computers and Electronics
    • English Language
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension
    • Reading Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Design
    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Programming
  • Statisticians

    Somewhat similar work
    +16% pay112 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 16% more—$139,829 vs your $120,831 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a master's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mathematics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Reading Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Number Facility
    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Programming
    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Biology