Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Boulder, CO
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $121,870 a year ($58.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,040 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $99,070. Pay here is 16% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $104,670. There are 3.2 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 50.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $123,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,170 | $39.02 |
| 25th percentile | $86,500 | $41.59 |
| Median | $121,870 | $58.59 |
| 75th percentile | $161,060 | $77.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,040 | $88.48 |
| Average (mean) | $123,680 | $59.46 |
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 | $10,155.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,077.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,687.31 |
| Weekly | $2,343.65 |
| Hourly | $58.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $110,960 | 250 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $106,020 | 40 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $85,440 | n/a |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| Chemist | $105,590 | $50.77 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $107,860 | $51.86 |
| Materials Scientist | $126,880 | $61.00 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $141,320 | $67.94 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $140,710 | $67.65 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Chemical Technician | $66,960 | $32.19 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Biological Technician | $75,390 | $36.24 |
| School Psychologist | $143,020 | $68.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,710 | $48.90 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area is $121,870 a year, or $58.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $184,040 a year. The top 25% earn $161,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,170 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $86,500 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Boulder, CO?
About 620 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.