NOC 21103: Meteorologists and climatologists
What meteorologists and climatologists do
Meteorologists and climatologists analyze and forecast weather, provide consultation on atmospheric phenomena and conduct research into the processes and phenomena of weather, climate and atmosphere. They are employed by all levels of government, natural resources and utility companies, the media and private consulting firms, or they may be self-employed.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Analyze and interpret data obtained from meteorological stations, radar and satellite imagery and computer model output
- Produce weather forecasts and provide weather consulting services for industries such as aviation, marine, agriculture and tourism, and to the general public
- Disseminate weather forecasts and reports to the general public through a variety of media including radio, television, print and the Internet
- Conduct research and provide consultation on the processes and determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather and climate, atmospheric dispersion, and physical and chemical transformation of pollutants
- Develop and test mathematical computer models of weather and climate for experimental or operational use
- Analyze the impact of industrial projects and human activity on the climate and quality of the air and work with the social science, engineering and economic communities to develop appropriate mitigation strategies
- Participate in studies of the effect of weather on the environment
- Provide consultation and advice to outside agencies, professionals, or researchers regarding the use and interpretation of climatological information
- Make scientific presentations, publish reports, articles or popular texts for specialists, users or the general public
- May engage in the design and development of new equipment and procedures for meteorological data collection, remote sensing, or for related applications.
Job titles under NOC 21103
12 job titles are classified here, including air quality meteorologist, climatologist, hydrometeorologist.
- agricultural meteorologist
- air quality meteorologist
- applied meteorologist
- climatologist
- hydrometeorologist
- industrial meteorologist
- meteorologist
- operational meteorologist
- paleometeorologist
- physical meteorologist
- synoptic meteorologist
- weather forecaster
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's or master's degree in meteorology, atmospheric sciences or in a related field is required.
- A doctoral degree is usually required for employment as a research scientist in meteorology.
- Formal training is provided by Environment Canada for operational meteorologists employed by the federal government.
- Membership in the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society is available, but voluntary, for qualified meteorologists.
Meteorologists and climatologists wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $33.89/hr | $53.94/hr | $75.12/hr |
Toronto ON | $37.54/hr | $54.17/hr | $75.97/hr |
Montréal QC | $39.14/hr | $55.82/hr | $75.09/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $40.60/hr | $52.85/hr | $72.24/hr |
Edmonton AB | $40.42/hr | $58.06/hr | $76.49/hr |
Ottawa ON | $36.08/hr | $53.02/hr | $76.62/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $38.27/hr | $53.79/hr | $75.84/hr |
Halifax NS | $38.04/hr | $57.47/hr | $76.08/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $42.74/hr | $56.08/hr | $74.27/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $32.56/hr | $44.05/hr | $66.76/hr |
Nova Scotia | $35.97/hr | $56.47/hr | $74.50/hr |
Quebec | $38.27/hr | $53.79/hr | $75.84/hr |
Ontario | $34.67/hr | $52.22/hr | $75.55/hr |
Alberta | $38.46/hr | $55.48/hr | $73.43/hr |
British Columbia | $37.50/hr | $51.63/hr | $72.45/hr |
Using NOC 21103 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 12 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Weather reporter (NOC 52114)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for meteorologists and climatologists?
Meteorologists and climatologists are NOC 2021 unit group 21103. Example job titles in this group include air quality meteorologist, climatologist, hydrometeorologist, meteorologist.
What TEER is NOC 21103?
NOC 21103 is TEER 1 (University degree). Usually requires a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate), or experience from a related TEER 2 occupation. TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 work counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do meteorologists and climatologists earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $53.94/hr, about $105,000 a year full-time, with a range of $33.89/hr to $75.12/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.