Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Colorado
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Colorado earn a median of $104,670 a year ($50.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,500 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $99,070. Colorado ranks 18th of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay. There are 0.40 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $115,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| 25th percentile | $85,440 | $41.08 |
| Median | $104,670 | $50.32 |
| 75th percentile | $140,380 | $67.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,500 | $79.57 |
| Average (mean) | $115,630 | $55.59 |
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 | $8,722.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,361.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,025.77 |
| Weekly | $2,012.88 |
| Hourly | $50.32 |
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 cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $121,870 | 620 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
| Physicist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Materials Scientist | $117,290 | $56.39 |
| Hydrologist | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| School Psychologist | $124,770 | $59.98 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Colorado is $104,670 a year, or $50.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in Colorado earn at least $165,500 a year. The top 25% earn $140,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,110 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $85,440 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Colorado?
About 1,150 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.