Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Kentucky
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Kentucky earn a median of $103,240 a year ($49.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,960 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $99,070. Kentucky ranks 22nd of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay. There are 0.05 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $106,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,540 | $26.22 |
| 25th percentile | $75,680 | $36.39 |
| Median | $103,240 | $49.63 |
| 75th percentile | $132,990 | $63.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,960 | $80.27 |
| Average (mean) | $106,230 | $51.07 |
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 | $8,603.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,301.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,970.77 |
| Weekly | $1,985.38 |
| Hourly | $49.63 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $103,240 | 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Chemist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $77,510 | $37.27 |
| Physicist | $180,910 | $86.98 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,120 | $29.38 |
| School Psychologist | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Kentucky is $103,240 a year, or $49.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in Kentucky earn at least $166,960 a year. The top 25% earn $132,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,540 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $75,680 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Kentucky?
About 100 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.