Atmospheric and Space Scientists
SOC 19-2021 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists is $92,860, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $101,530, and an estimated 9,310 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose -6.9% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -20.9% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 0.7% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $92,860 | $92,860 | 9,310 |
| 2022 | $83,780 | $87,229 | 9,900 |
| 2021 | $94,570 | $106,343 | 8,520 |
| 2020 | $99,740 | $117,425 | 10,210 |
Nominal change
-6.9%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-20.9%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+0.7%
About average
Employment 2024
9,400
Projected 2034
9,500
Annual Openings
700
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Atmospheric and Space Scientists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $92,860. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $116,020 | +24.9% | 100 |
| California | $114,900 | +23.7% | 710 |
| Missouri | $113,240 | +21.9% | 130 |
| Hawaii | $112,670 | +21.3% | 70 |
| Maryland | $110,870 | +19.4% | 740 |
| Wyoming | $108,330 | +16.7% | 40 |
| Virginia | $108,230 | +16.6% | 150 |
| Idaho | $107,660 | +15.9% | 50 |
| Oregon | $107,660 | +15.9% | 100 |
| New Mexico | $105,060 | +13.1% | 60 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$48,960
25th Pct
$68,080
Median
$92,860
75th Pct
$124,760
90th Pct
$157,250
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Life, Physical & Social Science
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Life, Physical & Social Science occupations →