Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Lubbock, TX is $81,350/year ($39.11/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $130K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.32), which stretches that salary to about $89,082 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $973/month, or 17.9% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $81K get you in Lubbock?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Lubbock’s Regional Price Parity (91.32). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in Lubbock
Pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Lubbock runs about 18% below the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $973/month, 17.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.32 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Lubbock can be a reasonable trade-off for atmospheric and space scientistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for atmospheric and space scientists in metros near Lubbock, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $89K | $90K |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $93K | $90K |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $78K | $79K |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $87K | $92K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lubbock, TX
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $130K or more, a $69K 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 Lubbock numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Lubbock?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 17.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $973/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Lubbock?
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 $973/month FMR, rent would take 27% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is atmospheric and space scientist a high-paying job in Lubbock?
Local pay runs 18% below the national median — $81K here vs. $99K nationally. Cost of living is 9% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Lubbock compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Lubbock pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.32), the purchasing-power equivalent is $89K — below the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Lubbock, TX?
The median is $81,350 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,110, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $129,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Lubbock?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,468/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $973/month, which eats 17.8% 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 Lubbock?
Lubbock has a Regional Price Parity of 91.32 (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 $89,082 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.