Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Boulder, CO is $121,870/year ($58.59/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $184K for experienced workers.
Where the paycheck goes
What $122K actually covers in Boulder, month by month
About atmospheric and space scientists
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for atmospheric and space scientists in metros near Boulder, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $111K | , |
| Oklahoma City | $76K | $85K |
| Salt Lake City-Murray | $101K | $100K |
| Tulsa | $77K | $86K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boulder, CO
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $122K. Top earners bring in $184K or more, a $103K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $129K | +30% | 750 |
| California | $125K | +26% | 510 |
| Hawaii | $121K | +22% | 70 |
| New Jersey | $120K | +21% | 60 |
| Idaho | $119K | +21% | 50 |
| New York | $118K | +19% | 370 |
| Florida | $116K | +17% | 270 |
| Arizona | $115K | +16% | 80 |
| Missouri | $114K | +15% | 160 |
| Illinois | $112K | +13% | 110 |
| Oregon | $112K | +13% | 100 |
| New Mexico | $110K | +11% | 60 |
| Nevada | $109K | +10% | 120 |
| Kansas | $109K | +10% | 80 |
| Montana | $109K | +10% | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $108K | +9% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $106K | +7% | 50 |
| Colorado | $105K | +6% | 1,150 |
| District of Columbia | $104K | +5% | 70 |
| Maine | $104K | +5% | 50 |
| Indiana | $104K | +5% | 80 |
| Kentucky | $103K | +4% | 100 |
| Michigan | $103K | +4% | 150 |
| Wyoming | $100K | +1% | 40 |
| Louisiana | $97K | -2% | 70 |
| Georgia | $97K | -2% | 170 |
| Utah | $97K | -3% | 170 |
| Tennessee | $96K | -3% | 230 |
| Washington | $94K | -5% | 190 |
| Alaska | $94K | -5% | N/A |
| North Carolina | $92K | -8% | 170 |
| North Dakota | $92K | -8% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $86K | -13% | 280 |
| Connecticut | $85K | -14% | 50 |
| Texas | $85K | -14% | 720 |
| Virginia | $84K | -15% | 350 |
| South Carolina | $82K | -17% | 150 |
| Alabama | $81K | -18% | 340 |
| West Virginia | $81K | -19% | 40 |
| South Dakota | $79K | -20% | 130 |
| Ohio | $79K | -21% | 160 |
| Iowa | $77K | -22% | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $76K | -23% | 420 |
| Pennsylvania | $76K | -23% | 160 |
| Arkansas | $72K | -27% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $61K | -39% | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $43K | -57% | 130 |
Showing 1–10 of 47 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Boulder numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Boulder?
Yes — at the median salary of $122K, rent takes 15.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,144/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Boulder?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $81K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,160/month.
Is atmospheric and space scientist a high-paying job in Boulder?
Local pay is 23% above the national median — $122K here vs. $99K nationally.
How does Boulder compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Boulder pays $122K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +23%.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Boulder, CO?
The median is $121,870 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,170, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $184,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $122K enough to live in Boulder?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,391/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,144/month, which eats 15.5% 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 Boulder?
Boulder has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median atmospheric and space scientists salary is worth about $121,870 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.