Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in North Carolina
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in North Carolina earn a median of $91,560 a year ($44.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,990 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $99,070. North Carolina ranks 31st of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay. There are 0.03 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $93,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| 25th percentile | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Median | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| 75th percentile | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Average (mean) | $93,080 | $44.75 |
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 | $7,630 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,815 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,521.54 |
| Weekly | $1,760.77 |
| Hourly | $44.02 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $108,810 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $98,920 | 60 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| Hydrologist | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Physicist | $174,180 | $83.74 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Biological Technician | $61,720 | $29.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in North Carolina is $91,560 a year, or $44.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in North Carolina earn at least $136,990 a year. The top 25% earn $115,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,940 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $58,920 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in North Carolina?
About 170 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.