NWS Questions

[Future Met]

How important is a Master’s degree for employment with the National Weather Service? Are there many employment opportunities without a Master’s degree in the NWS?

If having a Master’s is important, does the Master’s degree have to be in Atmospheric Science or can it be in another concentration, such as physics or math (assuming you have a B.S. in meteorology or equivalent to fulfill the requirements of the NWS)?

Thanks

[wall_cloud]

I don't think a Master's is all that important for the NWS hirees. If you are neck and neck with another potential hire, a Master's would probably put you over the top (assuming they didn't have one), but it will by no means make you a sure thing. It will also increase your starting pay grade a bit, but it all evens out in the end. I ONLY have a Bachelor's degree and it has served me quite well. Most employees are in the same boat as me.

[Ed Mahmoud]

I don't think a Master's is all that important for the NWS hirees. If you are neck and neck with another potential hire, a Master's would probably put you over the top (assuming they didn't have one), but it will by no means make you a sure thing. It will also increase your starting pay grade a bit, but it all evens out in the end. I ONLY have a Bachelor's degree and it has served me quite well. Most employees are in the same boat as me.

Did you write the AMA AFD poetry for Christmas?

[wall_cloud]

no, sure didn't. But I know who did

my discussions don't rhyme or follow iambic pentameter

[Future Met]

wall_cloud,

Thanks for your response. It was very helpful.

[WindRunner]

Well, to provide another point of view, I've heard several of my friends that are in the NWS state that it's getting harder and harder to find a job without one. Mostly because there are so many new people getting into the field, and therefore a bachelor's is nothing special. It, by far, is not a requirement, however, but like wall_cloud said, it does allow you to start about a year ahead into the NWS program (i.e. promotion-wise, and therefore paygrade-wise as well).

The other thing to consider about the master's degree is that it's often not that hard to get beyond a bachelor's degree. With most meteorology graduate schools paying you a moderate stipend while you work on your degree, the extra year or two is often worth it in the long run, if you can deal with it.