Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$91,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$44.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $99,070
State Rank
#31 of 47
170 employed here

How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make in North Carolina?

Atmospheric and Space Scientists in North Carolina take home a median of $91,560 annually — roughly $44.02 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $99,070.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $49,940 while the top 10% make $136,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,920 and $115,210 a year.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,940$24.01
25th percentile (early career)$58,920$28.33
50th percentile (median)$91,560$44.02
75th percentile (experienced)$115,210$55.39
90th percentile (top earners)$136,990$65.86

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 31st 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($91,560) 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 North Carolina?
The median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in North Carolina is $91,560 per year, or about $44.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,940 at the entry level to $136,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Atmospheric and Space Scientists about 8% less than the national median of $99,070. North Carolina ranks 31st out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $91,560 a year. About 170 Atmospheric and Space Scientists are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary report

Related salaries

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$101,920
median pay · 23,000 employed

Anthropologists and Archeologists

$70,770
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Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists

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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.