Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $108,810 a year ($52.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,040 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $99,070. Pay here is 19% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $91,560. There are 0.05 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $106,060, close to the median.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,220 | $29.92 |
| 25th percentile | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| Median | $108,810 | $52.31 |
| 75th percentile | $120,660 | $58.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,040 | $75.02 |
| Average (mean) | $106,060 | $50.99 |
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 | $9,067.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,533.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,185 |
| Weekly | $2,092.50 |
| Hourly | $52.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $87,220 | $41.93 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $96,560 | $46.42 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $75,350 | $36.23 |
| Biological Technician | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,810 | $40.78 |
| Microbiologist | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,640 | $30.60 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $108,810 a year, or $52.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $156,040 a year. The top 25% earn $120,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,220 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $76,860 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 40 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.