STORM2K

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

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.

wall_cloud wrote: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?

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

my discussions don't rhyme or follow iambic pentameter

wall_cloud,

Thanks for your response. It was very helpful.

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.