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.
So what does $122K get you in Boulder?
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $85K | , |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $111K | , |
| Colorado Springs | $106K | , |
| Oklahoma City | $76K | , |
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
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 quarterly. We'll email you when Boulder numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
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 $4,870/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. Rent data is not available for this area.
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.