Atmospheric and Space Scientist Salary in Washington, DC
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $117,600 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $84,534 take-home, or $7,045 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median atmospheric and space scientist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,042
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,291
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,705
- District of Columbia income tax$7,028
- Take-home pay$84,534
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Atmospheric and Space Scientist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,710 | $38.80 | $61,718 | $5,143 |
| 25th percentile | $87,400 | $42.02 | $65,855 | $5,488 |
| Median (50th) | $117,600 | $56.54 | $84,534 | $7,045 |
| 75th percentile | $156,750 | $75.36 | $108,049 | $9,004 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $182,670 | $87.82 | $123,562 | $10,297 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $117,600 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median atmospheric and space scientist's $84,534 take-home pay has the buying power of $77,637 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 3.5× 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
Washington, DC ranks #2 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 Washington, DC?
The median atmospheric and space scientist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $117,600 a year, or about $56.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $87,400 and $156,750.
What is a atmospheric and space scientist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $117,600 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $84,534 a year ($7,045 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,028 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a atmospheric and space scientist?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $99,070. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $77,637 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #2 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median atmospheric and space scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physicist — $171,580
- Physical Scientists, All Other — $170,980
- Economist — $156,750
- Astronomer — $156,750
- Political Scientist — $156,730
- Chemist — $144,680
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $138,250
- Psychologists, All Other — $129,730
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $114,920
- Microbiologist — $114,800
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $109,170
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $108,160