Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Texas is $84,990/year ($40.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $132K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.49), which stretches that salary to about $92,895 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,415/month, or 24.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $85K get you in Texas?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in Texas
Pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Texas runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,415/month, 24.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.49 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Texas can be a reasonable trade-off for atmospheric and space scientistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Texas
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $132K or more, a $85K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by metro in Texas
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $93K | +9% | 140 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $89K | +4% | 240 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $87K | +2% | 50 |
| Lubbock | $81K | -4% | 30 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $78K | -8% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Texas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Texas?
Yes — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 24.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,415/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Texas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,782/month. At HUD’s $1,415/month FMR, rent would take 51% 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 Texas?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $85K here vs. $99K nationally. Cost of living is 9% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Texas compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Texas pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — below the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Texas?
The median is $84,990 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,370, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $131,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,681/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 24.9% 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 Texas?
Texas has a Regional Price Parity of 91.49 (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 $92,895 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.