Atmospheric and Space Scientists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$82,900
- 25th Percentile — Junior$105,910
- 50th Percentile — Median$124,920
- 75th Percentile — Senior$144,910
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$175,900
Half of Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California earn more than $124,920. The top 10% make $175,900 or more, while entry-level workers start around $82,900.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 4th of 47 states for Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay, at $127,330 per year (20.0% above the U.S. average of $106,110).
- 510 people work as Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California — 5.1% of all U.S. Atmospheric and Space Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.43: Atmospheric and Space Scientists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,900; the top 10% earn over $175,900.
- Hourly equivalent: $61.22 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is New York at $154,830.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Atmospheric and Space Scientists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Atmospheric and Space Scientists here earn $127,330 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $127,330 is roughly equivalent to $89,669 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($154,830), Illinois ($147,860), District of Columbia ($143,270) are the closest alternatives for Atmospheric and Space Scientists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +58.6% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +48.8% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +16.7% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +10.0% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +5.0% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California 3.3% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California 3.4% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $116,480/yr California 8.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in California?
The average Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in California is $127,330 per year (median $124,920), which is 20.0% above the national average of $106,110.
How does California rank for Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay?
California ranks 4th out of 47 states. The highest-paying state is New York ($154,830/yr).
How much do entry-level Atmospheric and Space Scientists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California earn about $82,900 per year and the 25th percentile is $105,910.
How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make per hour in California?
About $61.22 per hour, based on the $127,330 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Atmospheric and Space Scientists work in California?
BLS counts 510 Atmospheric and Space Scientists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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