Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in North Carolina is $91,560/year ($44.02/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $98,813 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 21.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $92K get you in North Carolina?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Atmospheric and space scientists pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $92K locally vs. $99K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 22.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $92K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by metro in North Carolina
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary | $109K | +19% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $92K, rent takes 22.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,996/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $92K locally vs. $99K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
North Carolina pays $92K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $99K — below the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in North Carolina?
The median is $91,560 a year, that works out to about $44 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,940, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $136,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $92K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,723/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 22.4% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 $98,813 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.