Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in California
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California earn a median of $124,920 a year ($60.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,900 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $99,070. California ranks 2nd of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.03 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $127,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,900 | $39.86 |
| 25th percentile | $105,910 | $50.92 |
| Median | $124,920 | $60.06 |
| 75th percentile | $144,910 | $69.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,900 | $84.57 |
| Average (mean) | $127,330 | $61.21 |
Half of atmospheric and space scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,410 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,205 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,804.62 |
| Weekly | $2,402.31 |
| Hourly | $60.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $124,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $151,000 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $120,370 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $111,790 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for atmospheric and space scientists
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Chemist | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Physicist | $207,490 | $99.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $130,610 | $62.79 |
| Materials Scientist | $177,030 | $85.11 |
| Hydrologist | $122,110 | $58.71 |
| Astronomer | $123,540 | $59.39 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a atmospheric and space scientists make in California?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in California is $124,920 a year, or $60.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in California?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in California earn at least $175,900 a year. The top 25% earn $144,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,900 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $105,910 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in California?
About 510 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.