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Climate Science Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

ICF

Senior Climate Analytics Specialist

Arlington, VA · On-site

$100K - $123K/yr

Our climate risk analytics leverage rigorous science, machine learning, distributed computing, and provide clear communication to enable proactive planning and implementation of resilience solutions.

Osv_edf

Senior Scientist, Oceans Science

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$103K - $141K/yr

... climate smart agriculture, social science, and solar radiation modification. Overall Function Science and Innovation at EDF seeks candidates for a Senior Scientist position with proven topical ...

Lynker Corporation

Scientific Programmer

Silver Spring, MD · On-site +1

$78K - $100K/yr

Overview Lynker Corporation is a leading provider of innovative solutions in weather and climate science. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, Lynker leverages cutting-edge ...

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All JobsClimate Science JobsClimate Science Jobs in Washington, DC

Climate Science information

See Washington, DC salary details

$27.6K

$54.6K

$89.1K

How much do climate science jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for climate science in Washington, DC is $54,602.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,400.00 and $58,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Climate Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Climate Scientist, you need a strong background in environmental science, atmospheric physics, mathematics, and typically a graduate degree in a related field. Familiarity with climate modeling software, programming languages like Python or R, and experience analyzing large datasets are commonly required. Excellent analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you interpret data and share findings with diverse audiences. These skills ensure rigorous scientific research, accurate climate predictions, and impactful contributions to environmental policy and public understanding.

What are some common challenges climate scientists face when conducting field research?

Climate scientists often encounter logistical and environmental challenges while conducting field research. These can include accessing remote or hazardous locations, dealing with unpredictable weather conditions, and transporting sensitive equipment. Collaboration with local experts and interdisciplinary teams is essential to ensure accurate data collection and analysis. Additionally, securing funding and adhering to regulatory requirements can be ongoing hurdles, but overcoming these challenges provides valuable experience and contributes to meaningful scientific advancements.

What do climate scientists do?

Climate scientists study the Earth's climate systems, analyzing data on temperature, weather patterns, and greenhouse gas levels to understand climate change. They use tools like computer models and conduct field research to assess environmental impacts and inform policy decisions.

Do climate scientists make a lot of money?

Climate scientists typically earn a median salary that is comparable to other environmental science roles, with salaries varying based on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with advanced degrees and research expertise can earn higher salaries, often supplemented by grants and institutional funding.

What is the highest paying job in environmental science?

In environmental science, senior roles such as Environmental Director or Climate Policy Director tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and strong leadership skills, and may involve overseeing large projects or policy development.

What is climate science?

Climate science is the study of Earth's climate system, including the atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces, and ice. It involves understanding how these components interact, how the climate has changed in the past, and how it may change in the future due to natural and human influences. Climate scientists use data from observations, models, and experiments to analyze trends, predict climate scenarios, and inform policy decisions. Their work is crucial for addressing issues like global warming, extreme weather events, and environmental sustainability.

What can you do with a climate science degree?

A climate science degree prepares individuals for careers such as climate analyst, environmental consultant, research scientist, or policy advisor. These roles often involve data analysis, modeling, and using tools like GIS and climate models to assess environmental impacts and develop sustainable solutions.

What is the difference between Climate Science vs Environmental Science?

AspectClimate ScienceEnvironmental Science
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Climate Science, Environmental Science, or related fields; certifications in climate modeling or data analysisBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Ecology, or related fields; certifications in environmental management
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, government agencies, climate modeling centersEnvironmental consulting firms, government agencies, NGOs
Industry UsageFocuses on climate change, atmospheric processes, and global warmingFocuses on ecosystems, pollution, conservation, and sustainability

Climate Science and Environmental Science share overlapping skills and work environments but differ in focus. Climate Science centers on climate change and atmospheric processes, while Environmental Science covers broader ecological and pollution issues. Both fields are vital for addressing environmental challenges and often collaborate in research and policy development.

What are popular job titles related to Climate Science jobs in Washington, DC? For Climate Science jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Climate Science jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Climate Science jobs in Washington, DC are:
Climate Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Climate Science job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 13% Internship, 49% Full Time, and 38% Part Time. Highlights an 62% In-person, and 38% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,602 per year, or $26.3 per hour.
Senior Climate Analytics Specialist

Senior Climate Analytics Specialist

ICF

Arlington, VA • On-site

$100K - $123K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Title: Senior Climate Analytics Specialist

Preferred Locations: Salt Lake City, UT | New York City, NY | Crystal City, VA

Are you ready to make a difference?

ICF is seeking a Senior Climate Analytics Specialist with strong scientific programming and cloud-based, big data experience to support our broad portfolio of work on climate risk and resilience. Our projects span across commercial clients and all levels of government, enhancing the resilience of energy, transportation, and other critical infrastructure systems, and the vital societal and natural elements that make our communities whole. Our climate risk analytics leverage rigorous science, machine learning, distributed computing, and provide clear communication to enable proactive planning and implementation of resilience solutions.

The consultant chosen for this position will apply advanced analytics to the analysis and interpretation of weather and climate data, contribute to the development of climate risk tools and products, and support multi-disciplinary teams on multiple short- and long-term projects. This role is ideal for candidates interested in applying advanced analytics and machine learning to novel, high-impact problems where traditional modeling approaches are insufficient and new methods must be developed.

The preferred locations for this position are Salt Lake City, New York City, or Crystal City, VA.

Why you will love working here:

  • Quality of life: Flexible workplace arrangements, work-life balance

  • Investment of the community: Donation matching, volunteer opportunities

  • Investment in you: Tuition reimbursement, access to professional development resources, 401kmatching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan

  • And many, many more (Ask your recruiter for more details!)

What you'll be doing...

  • Serve as a technical expert on multi-disciplinary teams focused on applied climate risk and resilience projects
  • Use scientific programming, cloud-based distributed computing, and large-scale geospatial data processing to advance climate analytics and products
  • Translate complex climate risk questions into tractable analytical and modeling frameworks, selecting appropriate statistical, machine learning, and physics-informed approaches
  • Design, train, and rigorously validate machine learning and statistical models in data-limited and non-stationary climate contexts
  • Interface with clients on climate risk and resilience topics, and prepare high-quality communication materials such as presentations and reports
  • Complete tasks in fast-paced and self-motivated environment in a timely and efficient manner

What you'll need to have...

  • Bachelor's Degree in climate science, atmospheric science, Earth science, data science, meteorology, or similar
  • 5+ years of relevant experience applying advanced analytics to climate, geospatial, or environmental data
  • 2+ years of experience with Python for processing and analyzing large, multidimensional datasets (e.g., NetCDF, Zarr), including use of Pangeo ecosystem tools such as Xarray and Dask
  • Demonstrated experience designing and implementing scalable, cloud-based workflows for large geospatial and climate datasets, including parallel processing, memory-aware computation, and reproducible pipelines (e.g., AWS, SageMaker)
  • Demonstrated experience applying machine learning and statistical models to climate science, risk analysis, or related topics, using relevant Python packages (e.g., scikit-learn, PyTorch, etc.)

Our Preferred Skills/Experience...

  • Advanced degree in climate science, atmospheric science, Earth science, data science, meteorology, or similar
  • Ability to perform self-directed analytical work related to climate science topics and physical climate risk pertaining to energy systems, transportation networks, or other sectors
  • Experience working with extreme events, tail risks, or rare-event modeling in environmental or geospatial contexts
  • Outstanding oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate complex climate information to non-scientists to inform decision-making
  • Experience working with and leading multi-disciplinary teams
  • Organized, detail oriented, and the ability to prioritize and multi-task

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer.Together, our employees are empowered to share theirexpertiseand collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEOpolicy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals withsincerely heldreligious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To requestan accommodation,please emailCandidateaccommodation@icf.comand we will be happy toassist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extentrequiredto provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrightsor our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) CoverageAct.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate orassistwith responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is notpermitted. This policy is in place tomaintainthe integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodationthat involves the use of AI. Ifsuch anaccommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance atcandidateaccommodation@icf.com. Weare dedicated to providingthe necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.


Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$81,499.00 - $138,549.00Nationwide Remote Office (US99)

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