Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 10K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$99,070
Median hourly
$48
Average annual
$106,110
Typical range
$53,060–$161,890
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Atmospheric and Space Scientists is $99,070 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $48 an hour at a full-time schedule.
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. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology..
Most earn between $53,060 and $161,890 a year. There are roughly 10K people employed as atmospheric and space scientists in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Atmospheric and Space Scientists.
- Hourly
- $47.63
- Daily
- $381
- Weekly
- $1,905
- Bi-weekly
- $3,810
- Monthly
- $8,256
- Annual
- $99,070
$99,070 a year is around the 50th percentile for Atmospheric and Space Scientistss. The median is $99,070.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Maryland$128,800
- 2California$124,920
- 3Hawaii$121,010
- 4New Jersey$120,180
- 5Idaho$119,430
- 6New York$117,540
- 7Florida$115,960
- 8Arizona$115,020
- 9Missouri$114,230
- 10Illinois$112,280
- 11Oregon$112,260
- 12New Mexico$110,070
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$151,000
- 2Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY$134,060
- 3Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$133,490
- 4Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$128,800
- 5New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$128,790
- 6Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$127,070
- 7Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$125,590
- 8Boise City, ID$122,930
- 9Urban Honolulu, HI$122,880
- 10Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$122,700
- 11Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL$122,280
- 12Boulder, CO$121,870
Related job titles
Employers advertise Atmospheric and Space Scientists roles under these titles.
- Aerologist
- Atmospheric Chemist
- Atmospheric Scientist
- Climatologist
- Computer Meteorologist
- Forecaster
- General Forecaster
- Hurricane Tracker
- Hydrometeorological Technician (Hydrometeorological Tech)
- Hydrometeorologist
- Marine Meteorologist
- Meteorological Engineer
- Meteorologist
- Morning Meteorologist
- Ocean Monitoring and Data Assimilation Scientist
- Oceanographic Meteorologist
Related occupations
- Hydrologists$96,600
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$101,920
- Physical Scientists, All Other$122,570
- Data Scientists$120,230
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,220
- Computer Occupations, All Other$116,580
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$53,350
- Surveyors$75,440
What a Atmospheric and Space Scientists does
- Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
- Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.
- Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate.
- Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.
- Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media.
- Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups.
- Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts.
- Develop computer programs to collect meteorological data or to present meteorological information.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Atmospheric and Space Scientists make?
- The median annual wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists is $99,070 ($48 per hour). Pay ranges from about $53,060 at the 10th percentile to $161,890 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $106,110, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Atmospheric and Space Scientistss the most?
- Maryland has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $128,800.
- Is Atmospheric and Space Scientists a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 10K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Atmospheric and Space Scientists do?
- Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.; Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.; Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate..