Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $151,000 a year ($72.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $91,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $238,380 for the top 10%. That is 52% higher than the national median of $99,070. Pay here is 21% higher than the California statewide median of $124,920. There are 0.01 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.22). The average (mean) salary is $164,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $91,040 | $43.77 |
| 25th percentile | $137,600 | $66.15 |
| Median | $151,000 | $72.60 |
| 75th percentile | $170,610 | $82.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $238,380 | $114.60 |
| Average (mean) | $164,020 | $78.86 |
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 | $12,583.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,291.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,807.69 |
| Weekly | $2,903.85 |
| Hourly | $72.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $151,000 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 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
| 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $127,790 | $61.44 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $122,310 | $58.80 |
| Materials Scientist | $231,710 | $111.40 |
| Hydrologist | $147,080 | $70.71 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,720 | $61.88 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $160,180 | $77.01 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Biological Technician | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $126,860 | $60.99 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $166,400 | $80.00 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $165,050 | $79.35 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $136,250 | $65.50 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $151,000 a year, or $72.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $91,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $238,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $238,380 a year. The top 25% earn $170,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $91,040 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $137,600 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 30 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.