Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Pennsylvania
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $75,890 a year ($36.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,750 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $99,070. Pennsylvania ranks 44th 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 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $88,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| 25th percentile | $60,560 | $29.12 |
| Median | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| 75th percentile | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Average (mean) | $88,930 | $42.75 |
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 | $6,324.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,162.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,918.85 |
| Weekly | $1,459.42 |
| Hourly | $36.48 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $82,980 | 70 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,180 | $40.47 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,780 | $64.80 |
| Physicist | $210,990 | $101.44 |
| Hydrologist | $91,730 | $44.10 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,920 | $51.41 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
| Biological Technician | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,680 | $27.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Pennsylvania is $75,890 a year, or $36.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in Pennsylvania earn at least $156,750 a year. The top 25% earn $115,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,750 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $60,560 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Pennsylvania?
About 160 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.