Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Washington
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Washington earn a median of $94,400 a year ($45.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,750 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $99,070. Washington ranks 29th of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay. There are 0.05 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $113,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| 25th percentile | $85,400 | $41.06 |
| Median | $94,400 | $45.39 |
| 75th percentile | $124,990 | $60.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,750 | $77.29 |
| Average (mean) | $113,120 | $54.39 |
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 | $7,866.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,933.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,630.77 |
| Weekly | $1,815.38 |
| Hourly | $45.39 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $113,550 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,600 | 90 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Chemist | $97,420 | $46.84 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $105,020 | $50.49 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $133,980 | $64.41 |
| Physicist | $134,790 | $64.81 |
| Hydrologist | $105,600 | $50.77 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,250 | $61.18 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $100,990 | $48.56 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| School Psychologist | $108,780 | $52.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Washington is $94,400 a year, or $45.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Washington?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in Washington earn at least $160,750 a year. The top 25% earn $124,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,440 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $85,400 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Washington?
About 190 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.