Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Idaho is $119,430/year ($57.42/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $154K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.88), which stretches that salary to about $127,216 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,136/month, or 15% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Idaho. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $119K get you in Idaho?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in Idaho
Idaho sits well above the national pay line for atmospheric and space scientists, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,136/month, 15.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.88 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Idaho offers a genuinely strong financial position for atmospheric and space scientistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $119K. Top earners bring in $154K or more, a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by metro in Idaho
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | $123K | +3% | 30 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho?
Yes — at the median salary of $119K, rent takes 15.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,136/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Idaho?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,667/month. At HUD’s $1,136/month FMR, rent would take 31% 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 Idaho?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $119K here vs. $99K nationally.
How does Idaho compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Idaho pays $119K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $127K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Idaho?
The median is $119,430 a year, that works out to about $57 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,110, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $153,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $119K enough to live in Idaho?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,210/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 15.8% 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 Idaho?
Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 93.88 (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 $127,216 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.