Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Virginia
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia earn a median of $83,880 a year ($40.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,050 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $99,070. Virginia ranks 36th of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay. There are 0.09 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $111,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,770 | $33.06 |
| 25th percentile | $80,710 | $38.80 |
| Median | $83,880 | $40.33 |
| 75th percentile | $154,930 | $74.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,050 | $86.08 |
| Average (mean) | $111,970 | $53.83 |
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 | $6,990 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,495 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,226.15 |
| Weekly | $1,613.08 |
| Hourly | $40.33 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $117,600 | 700 |
| Richmond, VA | $112,510 | 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Chemist | $96,650 | $46.47 |
| Physicist | $145,040 | $69.73 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,390 | $42.49 |
| Materials Scientist | $124,150 | $59.69 |
| Hydrologist | $132,080 | $63.50 |
| Astronomer | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $86,520 | $41.60 |
| Biological Technician | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $86,030 | $41.36 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia is $83,880 a year, or $40.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia earn at least $179,050 a year. The top 25% earn $154,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,770 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $80,710 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Virginia?
About 350 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.