Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Illinois is $112,280/year ($53.98/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $212K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $119,638 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 19.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $112K get you in Illinois?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in Illinois
Illinois sits well above the national pay line for atmospheric and space scientists, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,407/month, 20.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Illinois offers a genuinely strong financial position for atmospheric and space scientistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $112K. Top earners bring in $212K or more, a $160K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by metro in Illinois
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $133K | +19% | 50 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $112K, rent takes 20.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,103/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 45% 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 Illinois?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $112K here vs. $99K nationally.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Illinois pays $112K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $120K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Illinois?
The median is $112,280 a year, that works out to about $54 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,710, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $211,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $112K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,818/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 20.6% 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 Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (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 $119,638 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.