Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$103,860
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $99,070
State Rank
#19 of 47
70 employed here

How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make in District of Columbia?

Atmospheric and Space Scientists in District of Columbia take home a median of $103,860 annually — roughly $49.93 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $99,070.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $95,870 while the top 10% make $207,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $103,860 and $180,480 a year.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$95,870$46.09
25th percentile (early career)$103,860$49.93
50th percentile (median)$103,860$49.93
75th percentile (experienced)$180,480$86.77
90th percentile (top earners)$207,380$99.70

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 19th out of 47 states and territories for Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$128,800
2California$124,920
3Hawaii$121,010
4New Jersey$120,180
5Idaho$119,430

Working as Atmospheric and Space Scientists in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($103,860) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in District of Columbia is $103,860 per year, or about $49.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $95,870 at the entry level to $207,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Atmospheric and Space Scientists about 5% more than the national median of $99,070. District of Columbia ranks 19th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $103,860 a year. About 70 Atmospheric and Space Scientists are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary report

Related salaries

Astronomer

$128,820
median pay · 2,000 employed

Conservation Scientist

$73,010
median pay · 26,000 employed

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

$101,920
median pay · 23,000 employed

Anthropologists and Archeologists

$70,770
median pay · 9,000 employed

Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists

$103,410
median pay · 172,000 employed

Forensic Science Technician

$72,060
median pay · 19,000 employed
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.