Atmospheric and Space Scientists Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$68,770
- 25th Percentile — Junior$80,710
- 50th Percentile — Median$83,880
- 75th Percentile — Senior$154,930
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$179,050
Half of Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia earn more than $83,880. The top 10% make $179,050 or more, while entry-level workers start around $68,770.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 18th of 47 states for Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay, at $111,970 per year (5.5% above the U.S. average of $106,110).
- 350 people work as Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia — 3.5% of all U.S. Atmospheric and Space Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.31: Atmospheric and Space Scientists jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $68,770; the top 10% earn over $179,050.
- Hourly equivalent: $53.83 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is New York at $154,830.
- Among science jobs in Virginia, Physicists pays the most ($159,320).
Atmospheric and Space Scientists Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Atmospheric and Space Scientists here earn $111,970 on average, placing the state 18th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $111,970 is roughly equivalent to $101,791 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($113,340), Washington ($113,120), Arizona ($112,930) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $159,320/yr Virginia +42.3% vs this role
- Economists $144,880/yr Virginia +29.4% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $127,300/yr Virginia +13.7% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $126,950/yr Virginia +13.4% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $124,880/yr Virginia +11.5% vs this role
- Hydrologists $119,240/yr Virginia +6.5% vs this role
- Geoscientists $105,120/yr Virginia 6.1% vs this role
- Chemists $104,120/yr Virginia 7.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Virginia?
The average Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Virginia is $111,970 per year (median $83,880), which is 5.5% above the national average of $106,110.
How does Virginia rank for Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay?
Virginia ranks 18th 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 Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia earn about $68,770 per year and the 25th percentile is $80,710.
How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make per hour in Virginia?
About $53.83 per hour, based on the $111,970 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Atmospheric and Space Scientists work in Virginia?
BLS counts 350 Atmospheric and Space Scientists jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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