Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia is $83,880/year ($40.33/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $69K at the entry level to $179K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $88,490 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,646/month, about 31% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $84K get you in Virginia?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in Virginia
Pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $99K. Rent runs $1,646/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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, Virginia
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $69K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $179K or more, a $110K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by metro in Virginia
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $113K | +34% | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $99K | +18% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 31.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $69K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,126/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 Virginia?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $84K here vs. $99K nationally. Cost of living is 5% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Virginia pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $88K — below the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Virginia?
The median is $83,880 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,770, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $179,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,257/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 31.3% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $88,490 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.