Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in West Virginia is $80,690/year ($38.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $90,632 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,008/month, or 19.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of West Virginia. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $81K get you in West Virginia?
About atmospheric and space scientists
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Pay for atmospheric and space scientists in West Virginia runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,008/month, 19.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, West Virginia can be a reasonable trade-off for atmospheric and space scientistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, West Virginia
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a atmospheric and space scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 19.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for atmospheric and space scientists in West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new atmospheric and space scientists typically earn — is $42K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,499/month. At HUD’s $1,008/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 West Virginia?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $81K here vs. $99K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for atmospheric and space scientists?
West Virginia pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $91K — below the national median.
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in West Virginia?
The median is $80,690 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,650, and experienced atmospheric and space scientists can clear $136,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,159/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 19.5% 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (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 $90,632 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.