Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in North Dakota is $91,560/year ($44.02/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $103,004 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 17.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of North Dakota. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $92K get you in North Dakota?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in North Dakota
Atmospheric and space scientists pay in North Dakota 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 $1,034/month, 17.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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 Dakota
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $92K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $88K 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 North Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $92K, rent takes 17.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,914/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 35% 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 Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $92K locally vs. $99K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
North Dakota pays $92K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $103K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in North Dakota?
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 $48,570, 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 Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,918/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 17.5% 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (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 $103,004 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.