Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in South Carolina is $82,240/year ($39.54/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.17), which stretches that salary to about $88,269 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,263/month, or 24.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in South Carolina?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in South Carolina
Pay for atmospheric and space scientists in South Carolina runs about 17% below the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,263/month, 24.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.17 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, South Carolina can be a reasonable trade-off for atmospheric and space scientistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Carolina
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $77K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by metro in South Carolina
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | $82K | +0% | 50 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 24.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,263/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in South Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,612/month. At HUD’s $1,263/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 South Carolina?
Local pay runs 17% below the national median — $82K here vs. $99K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does South Carolina compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
South Carolina pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $88K — below the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in South Carolina?
The median is $82,240 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,200, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $136,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in South Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,217/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,263/month, which eats 24.2% 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 South Carolina?
South Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 93.17 (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 $88,269 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.