Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in New Mexico is $110,070/year ($52.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $162K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.06), which stretches that salary to about $118,279 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,119/month, or 16.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of New Mexico. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $110K get you in New Mexico?
About atmospheric and space scientists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in New Mexico
New Mexico sits well above the national pay line for atmospheric and space scientists, local pay runs about 11% higher than the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,119/month, 16.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.06 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, New Mexico offers a genuinely strong financial position for atmospheric and space scientistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Mexico
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $110K. Top earners bring in $162K or more, a $100K 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 Mexico numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Mexico?
Yes — at the median salary of $110K, rent takes 16.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,119/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in New Mexico?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,706/month. At HUD’s $1,119/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is atmospheric and space scientist a high-paying job in New Mexico?
Local pay is 11% above the national median — $110K here vs. $99K nationally.
How does New Mexico compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
New Mexico pays $110K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.06), the purchasing-power equivalent is $118K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in New Mexico?
The median is $110,070 a year, that works out to about $53 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,760, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $161,890. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $110K enough to live in New Mexico?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,785/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,119/month, which eats 16.5% 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 Mexico?
New Mexico has a Regional Price Parity of 93.06 (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 $118,279 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.