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.
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 |
Best cities for atmospheric and space scientists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder, CO | $121,870 | $89,910 | $85,464 | 620 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $117,600 | $84,534 | $77,637 | 700 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Boulder, CO — $121,870
- Washington, DC — $117,600
Atmospheric and Space Scientist salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $128,800 | $93,491 | $83,230 – $168,460 | 750 |
| California | $124,920 | $87,637 | $82,900 – $175,900 | 510 |
| Hawaii | $121,010 | $86,294 | $82,930 – $160,330 | 70 |
| New Jersey | $120,180 | $87,911 | $64,210 – $190,780 | 60 |
| Idaho | $119,430 | $87,627 | $61,110 – $153,570 | 50 |
| New York | $117,540 | $85,625 | $58,670 – $239,200+ | 370 |
| Florida | $115,960 | $90,408 | $52,980 – $172,410 | 270 |
| Arizona | $115,020 | $87,080 | $63,920 – $156,500 | 80 |
| Missouri | $114,230 | $84,759 | $60,740 – $147,640 | 160 |
| Illinois | $112,280 | $82,406 | $51,710 – $211,910 | 110 |
| Oregon | $112,260 | $78,812 | $65,830 – $149,060 | 100 |
| New Mexico | $110,070 | $82,202 | $61,760 – $161,890 | 60 |
| Kansas | $109,300 | $80,423 | $49,940 – $139,210 | 80 |
| Nevada | $109,300 | $85,723 | $64,990 – $191,150 | 120 |
| Montana | $108,890 | $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 | $78,568 | $76,110 – $165,500 | 1,150 |
| District of Columbia | $103,860 | $76,036 | $95,870 – $207,380 | 70 |
| Maine | $103,710 | $75,870 | $51,170 – $153,910 | 50 |
| Indiana | $103,680 | $78,740 | $67,430 – $155,000 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $103,240 | $77,964 | $54,540 – $166,960 | 100 |
| Michigan | $103,210 | $77,303 | $49,580 – $151,110 | 150 |
| Wyoming | $99,940 | $79,138 | $63,500 – $132,180 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $97,470 | $74,862 | $49,940 – $136,990 | 70 |
| Georgia | $96,820 | $72,541 | $47,260 – $150,300 | 170 |
| Utah | $96,520 | $73,354 | $53,060 – $126,440 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $96,190 | $76,500 | $77,580 – $137,880 | 230 |
| Washington | $94,400 | $75,240 | $76,440 – $160,750 | 190 |
| Alaska | $94,380 | $75,226 | $61,150 – $135,030 | — |
| North Carolina | $91,560 | $70,098 | $49,940 – $136,990 | 170 |
| North Dakota | $91,560 | $72,716 | $48,570 – $136,990 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $85,870 | $66,069 | $61,110 – $135,670 | 280 |
| Connecticut | $85,110 | $65,599 | $69,370 – $234,100 | 50 |
| Texas | $84,990 | $68,620 | $46,370 – $131,750 | 720 |
| Virginia | $83,880 | $63,831 | $68,770 – $179,050 | 350 |
| South Carolina | $82,240 | $62,909 | $60,200 – $136,990 | 150 |
| Alabama | $81,080 | $62,081 | $47,330 – $151,300 | 340 |
| West Virginia | $80,690 | $62,641 | $41,650 – $136,990 | 40 |
| South Dakota | $78,900 | $64,336 | $63,350 – $129,960 | 130 |
| Ohio | $78,580 | $62,732 | $62,990 – $142,690 | 160 |
| Iowa | $76,850 | $60,625 | $50,300 – $139,170 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $76,480 | $59,738 | $44,660 – $136,990 | 420 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,890 | $59,889 | $49,750 – $156,750 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $71,940 | $56,847 | $65,610 – $216,310 | — |
| Nebraska | $60,540 | $48,949 | $57,140 – $136,970 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $42,820 | $36,586 | $40,350 – $65,100 | 130 |
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. After taxes and local prices, Boulder, CO offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many atmospheric and space scientists are there in the U.S.?
About 10,000 people work as atmospheric and space scientists nationwide.