Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Washington is $94,400/year ($45.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $92,540 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 29% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $94K get you in Washington?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in Washington
Atmospheric and space scientists pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $94K locally vs. $99K nationwide, a 5% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K. Top earners bring in $161K or more, a $84K spread from bottom to top.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $93K | -2% | 90 |
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Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $94K, rent takes 29.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $76K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,586/month. At HUD’s $1,830/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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $94K locally vs. $99K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
Washington pays $94K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — below the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Washington?
The median is $94,400 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,440, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $160,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,233/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 29.4% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $92,540 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.