Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median of $111,790 a year ($53.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,830 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $99,070. Pay here is 11% lower than the California statewide median of $124,920. There are 0.04 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $118,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,940 | $42.28 |
| 25th percentile | $105,910 | $50.92 |
| Median | $111,790 | $53.74 |
| 75th percentile | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,830 | $67.71 |
| Average (mean) | $118,740 | $57.09 |
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 | $9,315.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,657.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,299.62 |
| Weekly | $2,149.81 |
| Hourly | $53.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $111,790 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $151,000 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $120,370 | 50 |
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 |
See Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $105,340 | $50.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $136,160 | $65.46 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $94,660 | $45.51 |
| Physicist | $160,270 | $77.05 |
| Materials Scientist | $149,980 | $72.11 |
| Hydrologist | $123,420 | $59.34 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $134,890 | $64.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,250 | $47.72 |
| School Psychologist | $122,390 | $58.84 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,380 | $46.34 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $59,240 | $28.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $111,790 a year, or $53.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn at least $140,830 a year. The top 25% earn $130,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,940 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $105,910 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
About 220 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.