Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Arizona is $115,020/year ($55.3/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $157K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.41), that's roughly $119,303 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,437/month, or 19.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Arizona. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $115K get you in Arizona?
About atmospheric and space scientists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Arizona
Arizona sits well above the national pay line for atmospheric and space scientists, local pay runs about 16% higher than the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,437/month, 20% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 96.41) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Arizona offers a genuinely strong financial position for atmospheric and space scientistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arizona
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $115K. Top earners bring in $157K or more, a $93K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arizona numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arizona?
Yes — at the median salary of $115K, rent takes 20% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,437/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Arizona?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,835/month. At HUD’s $1,437/month FMR, rent would take 37% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is atmospheric and space scientist a high-paying job in Arizona?
Local pay is 16% above the national median — $115K here vs. $99K nationally.
How does Arizona compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Arizona pays $115K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +16%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 96.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $119K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Arizona?
The median is $115,020 a year, that works out to about $55 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,920, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $156,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $115K enough to live in Arizona?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,202/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,437/month, which eats 20% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a atmospheric and space scientists salary go in Arizona?
Arizona has a Regional Price Parity of 96.41 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median atmospheric and space scientists salary is worth about $119,303 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do atmospheric and space scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.