Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $107,410/year ($51.64/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $95,996 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 45.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $107K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad’s Regional Price Parity (111.89). 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
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $107K. Top earners bring in $158K or more, a $81K 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $107,410 a year, that works out to about $52 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,690, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $158,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $107K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,485/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month, which eats 46.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a atmospheric and space scientists salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median atmospheric and space scientists salary is worth about $95,996 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.