Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in New Jersey is $120,180/year ($57.78/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $191K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.34), that's roughly $120,978 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,067/month, or 29.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of New Jersey. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $120K get you in New Jersey?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in New Jersey
New Jersey 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. Rent runs $2,067/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 99.34) 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, New Jersey
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $120K. Top earners bring in $191K or more, a $127K 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 New Jersey numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Jersey?
Yes — at the median salary of $120K, rent takes 28.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,067/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in New Jersey?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,853/month. At HUD’s $2,067/month FMR, rent would take 54% 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 New Jersey?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $120K here vs. $99K nationally.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
New Jersey pays $120K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $121K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in New Jersey?
The median is $120,180 a year, that works out to about $58 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,210, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $190,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $120K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,281/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,067/month, which eats 28.4% 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey has a Regional Price Parity of 99.34 (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 $120,978 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.