Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Richmond, VA
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $112,510 a year ($54.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,980 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $99,070. Pay here is 34% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $83,880. There are 0.06 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $119,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,190 | $34.23 |
| 25th percentile | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Median | $112,510 | $54.09 |
| 75th percentile | $163,590 | $78.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,980 | $78.84 |
| Average (mean) | $119,260 | $57.34 |
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 | $9,375.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,687.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,327.31 |
| Weekly | $2,163.65 |
| Hourly | $54.09 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $117,600 | 700 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Chemist | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Physicist | $218,290 | $104.95 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Biological Technician | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $77,340 | $37.18 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| School Psychologist | $82,440 | $39.64 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,100 | $37.07 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $112,510 a year, or $54.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $163,980 a year. The top 25% earn $163,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,190 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $75,810 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Richmond, VA?
About 40 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.