Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists is a professional role in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family, focused on Atmospheric and Space Scientists work. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Atmospheric and Space Scientistss do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
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.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionSpeakingScienceCritical ThinkingActive ListeningActive Learning
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
3,630 workers
$98,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excl. State & Local Schools & Hospitals & USPS
2,920 workers
$126,500
Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation)
2,590 workers
$128,000
Information
1,590 workers
$110,000
Educational Services
1,370 workers
$110,000
State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,290 workers
$109,000
Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
180 workers
$122,500
Sectors 48 and 49 – Transportation and Warehousing
110 workers
$93,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Atmospheric and Space Scientists pays 10% above the average across 48 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,000).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
How much does a Atmospheric and Space Scientists make?
The average base salary for a Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the United States is $110,000 per year, or about $52.88 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $76,000 and $134,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,000 across 48 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
