Atmospheric and Space Scientist Salary
Atmospheric and Space Scientists earn a median $99,070 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
U.S. median
$99,070
$47.63 per hour
Range
$53,060 – $161,890
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
10,000
across the U.S.
▲1.7%
Pay trend: The median for atmospheric and space scientists in the U.S. rose from $97,450 (May 2024) to $99,070 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 0.7%.
What atmospheric and space scientists do
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.6% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 800
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of atmospheric and space scientists is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Atmospheric and Space Scientist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$78,526
per year · effective tax rate 20.7%
$6,544Monthly
$3,272Twice a month
$3,020Every 2 weeks
$37.75Hourly
- Federal income tax$12,965
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,142
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,437
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$78,526
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,060 | $25.51 | $44,814 |
| 25th percentile | $73,350 | $35.26 | $60,432 |
| Median (50th) | $99,070 | $47.63 | $78,526 |
| 75th percentile | $129,960 | $62.48 | $100,094 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,890 | $77.83 | $121,918 |
Atmospheric and Space Scientist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $128,800 | +23.2% | $93,491 | $83,230 – $168,460 | 750 |
| California | $124,920 | +6.1% | $87,637 | $82,900 – $175,900 | 510 |
| Hawaii | $121,010 | −1.0% | $86,294 | $82,930 – $160,330 | 70 |
| New Jersey | $120,180 | +15.5% | $87,911 | $64,210 – $190,780 | 60 |
| Idaho | $119,430 | +1.9% | $87,627 | $61,110 – $153,570 | 50 |
| New York | $117,540 | +68.2% | $85,625 | $58,670 – $239,200+ | 370 |
| Florida | $115,960 | +21.2% | $90,408 | $52,980 – $172,410 | 270 |
| Arizona | $115,020 | +49.4% | $87,080 | $63,920 – $156,500 | 80 |
| Missouri | $114,230 | −1.9% | $84,759 | $60,740 – $147,640 | 160 |
| Illinois | $112,280 | — | $82,406 | $51,710 – $211,910 | 110 |
| Oregon | $112,260 | −3.1% | $78,812 | $65,830 – $149,060 | 100 |
| New Mexico | $110,070 | −3.6% | $82,202 | $61,760 – $161,890 | 60 |
| Kansas | $109,300 | +44.7% | $80,423 | $49,940 – $139,210 | 80 |
| Nevada | $109,300 | +5.6% | $85,723 | $64,990 – $191,150 | 120 |
| Montana | $108,890 | +1.5% | $80,643 | $61,110 – $136,990 | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $108,050 | — | $79,661 | $71,290 – $166,140 | — |
| Minnesota | $106,270 | — | $77,888 | $61,620 – $149,340 | 50 |
| Colorado | $104,670 | −1.5% | $78,568 | $76,110 – $165,500 | 1,150 |
| District of Columbia | $103,860 | +5.6% | $76,036 | $95,870 – $207,380 | 70 |
| Maine | $103,710 | +2.2% | $75,870 | $51,170 – $153,910 | 50 |
| Indiana | $103,680 | +2.0% | $78,740 | $67,430 – $155,000 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $103,240 | +53.3% | $77,964 | $54,540 – $166,960 | 100 |
| Michigan | $103,210 | +7.6% | $77,303 | $49,580 – $151,110 | 150 |
| Wyoming | $99,940 | +34.8% | $79,138 | $63,500 – $132,180 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $97,470 | −6.6% | $74,862 | $49,940 – $136,990 | 70 |
| Georgia | $96,820 | +6.8% | $72,541 | $47,260 – $150,300 | 170 |
| Utah | $96,520 | +61.8% | $73,354 | $53,060 – $126,440 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $96,190 | −12.4% | $76,500 | $77,580 – $137,880 | 230 |
| Washington | $94,400 | +6.3% | $75,240 | $76,440 – $160,750 | 190 |
| Alaska | $94,380 | −7.0% | $75,226 | $61,150 – $135,030 | — |
| North Carolina | $91,560 | −11.9% | $70,098 | $49,940 – $136,990 | 170 |
| North Dakota | $91,560 | −1.3% | $72,716 | $48,570 – $136,990 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $85,870 | −15.9% | $66,069 | $61,110 – $135,670 | 280 |
| Connecticut | $85,110 | — | $65,599 | $69,370 – $234,100 | 50 |
| Texas | $84,990 | −4.0% | $68,620 | $46,370 – $131,750 | 720 |
| Virginia | $83,880 | −25.1% | $63,831 | $68,770 – $179,050 | 350 |
| South Carolina | $82,240 | −14.0% | $62,909 | $60,200 – $136,990 | 150 |
| Alabama | $81,080 | −4.3% | $62,081 | $47,330 – $151,300 | 340 |
| West Virginia | $80,690 | +15.3% | $62,641 | $41,650 – $136,990 | 40 |
| South Dakota | $78,900 | −5.7% | $64,336 | $63,350 – $129,960 | 130 |
| Ohio | $78,580 | +3.0% | $62,732 | $62,990 – $142,690 | 160 |
| Iowa | $76,850 | +6.0% | $60,625 | $50,300 – $139,170 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $76,480 | −3.4% | $59,738 | $44,660 – $136,990 | 420 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,890 | −11.4% | $59,889 | $49,750 – $156,750 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $71,940 | −12.2% | $56,847 | $65,610 – $216,310 | — |
| Nebraska | $60,540 | −45.0% | $48,949 | $57,140 – $136,970 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $42,820 | −33.2% | $36,586 | $40,350 – $65,100 | 130 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrologist | $96,600 | Bachelor's degree | +1.5% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $101,920 | Bachelor's degree | +5.1% |
| Chemist | $91,240 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | Bachelor's degree | +6.1% |
| Materials Scientist | $117,790 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $122,570 | Bachelor's degree | +2.1% |
| Astronomer | $128,820 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.8% |
| Physicist | $172,250 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.2% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a atmospheric and space scientist make?
The national median salary for atmospheric and space scientists is $99,070 a year ($47.63 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,060 and the top 10% earn over $161,890. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays atmospheric and space scientists the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $128,800.
How many atmospheric and space scientists are there in the U.S.?
About 10,000 people work as atmospheric and space scientists nationwide.