Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Rapid City, SD
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $104,380 a year ($50.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $99,070. Pay here is 32% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $78,900. There are 0.79 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 12.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,780, close to the median.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| 25th percentile | $69,280 | $33.31 |
| Median | $104,380 | $50.18 |
| 75th percentile | $104,380 | $50.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Average (mean) | $94,780 | $45.57 |
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 | $8,698.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,349.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,014.62 |
| Weekly | $2,007.31 |
| Hourly | $50.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,260 | $32.82 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,160 | $41.42 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,310 | $35.25 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| Conservation Scientist | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| Forester | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $63,720 | $30.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $104,380 a year, or $50.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $115,920 a year. The top 25% earn $104,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,600 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $69,280 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Rapid City, SD?
About 60 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.