Atmospheric and Space Scientist Salary in Boulder, CO
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $121,870 a year — 23% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $89,910 take-home, or $7,493 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median atmospheric and space scientist salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,983
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,556
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,767
- Colorado income tax$4,654
- Take-home pay$89,910
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Atmospheric and Space Scientist pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,170 | $39.02 | $63,070 | $5,256 |
| 25th percentile | $86,500 | $41.59 | $66,585 | $5,549 |
| Median (50th) | $121,870 | $58.59 | $89,910 | $7,493 |
| 75th percentile | $161,060 | $77.43 | $114,972 | $9,581 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,040 | $88.48 | $129,668 | $10,806 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $121,870 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median atmospheric and space scientist's $89,910 take-home pay has the buying power of $85,464 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, CO has 50.4× the national concentration of atmospheric and space scientist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for atmospheric and space scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #1 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder, CO | $121,870 | $89,910 | $85,464 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $117,600 | $84,534 | $77,637 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a atmospheric and space scientist make in Boulder, CO?
The median atmospheric and space scientist salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $121,870 a year, or about $58.59 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $86,500 and $161,060.
What is a atmospheric and space scientist’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $121,870 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $89,910 a year ($7,493 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,654 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a atmospheric and space scientist?
Pay here is 23% above the national median of $99,070. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $85,464 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #1 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median atmospheric and space scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
- Chemist — $105,590
- Physicist — $104,580
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $65,260