Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in District of Columbia
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in District of Columbia earn a median of $103,860 a year ($49.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,380 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $99,070. District of Columbia ranks 19th of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay. There are 0.11 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $143,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,870 | $46.09 |
| 25th percentile | $103,860 | $49.93 |
| Median | $103,860 | $49.93 |
| 75th percentile | $180,480 | $86.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,380 | $99.70 |
| Average (mean) | $143,270 | $68.88 |
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 | $8,655 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,327.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,994.62 |
| Weekly | $1,997.31 |
| Hourly | $49.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $117,600 | 700 |
Highest-paying states for atmospheric and space scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $128,800 |
| California | $124,920 |
| Hawaii | $121,010 |
| New Jersey | $120,180 |
| Idaho | $119,430 |
| New York | $117,540 |
| Florida | $115,960 |
| Arizona | $115,020 |
| Missouri | $114,230 |
| Illinois | $112,280 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Physicist | $157,040 | $75.50 |
| Chemist | $149,860 | $72.05 |
| Materials Scientist | $137,600 | $66.16 |
| Political Scientist | $152,530 | $73.33 |
| Economist | $167,590 | $80.57 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| Historian | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| School Psychologist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in District of Columbia is $103,860 a year, or $49.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in District of Columbia earn at least $207,380 a year. The top 25% earn $180,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,870 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $103,860 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in District of Columbia?
About 70 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.