California Median
$124,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $99,070
State Rank
#2 of 47
510 employed here
How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make in California?
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California take home a median of $124,920 annually — roughly $60.06 an hour — which runs 26% above the national median of $99,070.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $82,900 while the top 10% make $175,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,910 and $144,910 a year.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,900 | $39.86 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $105,910 | $50.92 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $124,920 | $60.06 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $144,910 | $69.67 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,900 | $84.57 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 47 states and territories for Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in other states
Maryland $128,800Hawaii $121,010New Jersey $120,180Idaho $119,430New York $117,540Florida $115,960Arizona $115,020Missouri $114,230Illinois $112,280Oregon $112,260New Mexico $110,070Kansas $109,300Nevada $109,300Montana $108,890Massachusetts $108,050Minnesota $106,270Colorado $104,670District of Columbia $103,860Maine $103,710Indiana $103,680Kentucky $103,240Michigan $103,210Wyoming $99,940Louisiana $97,470Georgia $96,820Utah $96,520Tennessee $96,190Washington $94,400Alaska $94,380North Carolina $91,560North Dakota $91,560Wisconsin $85,870Connecticut $85,110Texas $84,990Virginia $83,880South Carolina $82,240Alabama $81,080West Virginia $80,690South Dakota $78,900Ohio $78,580Iowa $76,850Oklahoma $76,480Pennsylvania $75,890Arkansas $71,940Nebraska $60,540New Hampshire $42,820
Working as Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California
Nationally, about 10,000 people work as Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($124,920) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make in California?
The median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in California is $124,920 per year, or about $60.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $82,900 at the entry level to $175,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Atmospheric and Space Scientists about 26% more than the national median of $99,070. California ranks 2nd out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $124,920 a year. About 510 Atmospheric and Space Scientists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.