Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $102,920/year ($49.48/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $71K at the entry level to $160K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.16), that's roughly $104,849 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,750/month, or 26.4% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $103K get you in Raleigh-Cary?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Raleigh-Cary’s Regional Price Parity (98.16). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About atmospheric and space scientists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Raleigh-Cary, NC
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $71K. Mid-career wages sit at $103K. Top earners bring in $160K or more, a $89K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $122K | +25% | 60 |
| California | $118K | +21% | 580 |
| Idaho | $117K | +20% | 50 |
| Missouri | $116K | +20% | 140 |
| Oregon | $116K | +19% | 100 |
| New Mexico | $114K | +17% | 60 |
| Virginia | $112K | +15% | 150 |
| Nebraska | $110K | +13% | 80 |
| Tennessee | $110K | +13% | 120 |
| Montana | $107K | +10% | 60 |
| Maryland | $105K | +7% | 710 |
| Louisiana | $104K | +7% | 80 |
| New Jersey | $104K | +7% | 70 |
| North Carolina | $104K | +7% | 140 |
| Nevada | $104K | +6% | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $102K | +5% | 180 |
| Indiana | $102K | +4% | 80 |
| Maine | $102K | +4% | 50 |
| Alaska | $102K | +4% | 180 |
| District of Columbia | $98K | +1% | 80 |
| Michigan | $96K | -2% | 140 |
| Florida | $96K | -2% | 440 |
| South Carolina | $96K | -2% | 90 |
| North Dakota | $93K | -5% | 40 |
| Georgia | $91K | -7% | 170 |
| Washington | $89K | -9% | 280 |
| Texas | $89K | -9% | 440 |
| Pennsylvania | $86K | -12% | 130 |
| Alabama | $85K | -13% | 230 |
| South Dakota | $84K | -14% | 80 |
| Arkansas | $82K | -16% | 40 |
| Oklahoma | $79K | -19% | 280 |
| Arizona | $77K | -21% | 100 |
| Ohio | $76K | -22% | 190 |
| Kansas | $76K | -23% | 140 |
| Wyoming | $74K | -24% | 90 |
| Mississippi | $74K | -24% | 160 |
| Iowa | $73K | -26% | 130 |
| West Virginia | $70K | -28% | 60 |
| New York | $70K | -28% | 500 |
| Kentucky | $67K | -31% | 120 |
| New Hampshire | $64K | -34% | 70 |
| Utah | $60K | -39% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 43 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Raleigh-Cary numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median is $102,920 a year, that works out to about $49 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,250, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $160,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $103K enough to live in Raleigh-Cary?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,347/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,750/month, which eats 27.6% 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 Raleigh-Cary?
Raleigh-Cary has a Regional Price Parity of 98.16 (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 $104,849 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.