Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $98,920 a year ($47.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,850 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $99,070. Pay here is 18% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $83,880. There are 0.08 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $115,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| 25th percentile | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| Median | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| 75th percentile | $155,190 | $74.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,850 | $74.93 |
| Average (mean) | $115,700 | $55.63 |
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 | $8,243.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,121.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,804.62 |
| Weekly | $1,902.31 |
| Hourly | $47.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $117,600 | 700 |
| Richmond, VA | $112,510 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $108,810 | 40 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Physicist | $110,930 | $53.33 |
| Chemist | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $89,770 | $43.16 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,920 | $43.23 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $107,910 | $51.88 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,010 | $43.76 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,760 | $39.79 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $90,020 | $43.28 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| School Psychologist | $86,510 | $41.59 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $98,920 a year, or $47.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $155,850 a year. The top 25% earn $155,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,730 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $71,740 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 60 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.