Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Maryland is $128,800/year ($61.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $168K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.76), that's roughly $130,417 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,795/month, or 23.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Maryland. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $129K get you in Maryland?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in Maryland
Maryland sits well above the national pay line for atmospheric and space scientists, local pay runs about 30% higher than the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,795/month, 23.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 98.76) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Maryland offers a genuinely strong financial position for atmospheric and space scientistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maryland
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K. Top earners bring in $168K or more, a $85K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by metro in Maryland
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $129K | +0% | 270 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maryland numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maryland?
Yes — at the median salary of $129K, rent takes 23.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,795/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Maryland?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $83K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,994/month. At HUD’s $1,795/month FMR, rent would take 36% 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 Maryland?
Local pay is 30% above the national median — $129K here vs. $99K nationally.
How does Maryland compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Maryland pays $129K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +30%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.76), the purchasing-power equivalent is $130K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Maryland?
The median is $128,800 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $83,230, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $168,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Maryland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,731/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,795/month, which eats 23.2% 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 Maryland?
Maryland has a Regional Price Parity of 98.76 (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 $130,417 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.