Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Montana is $108,890/year ($52.35/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $112,258 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 16.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Montana. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $109K get you in Montana?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in Montana
Atmospheric and space scientists pay in Montana tracks closely to the national median, $109K locally vs. $99K nationwide, a 10% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,129/month, 17% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $109K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $76K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $109K, rent takes 17% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Montana?
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 $1,129/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 Montana?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $109K locally vs. $99K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Montana compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Montana pays $109K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $112K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Montana?
The median is $108,890 a year, that works out to about $52 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,110, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $136,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $109K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,639/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 17% 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 Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (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 $112,258 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.