Virginia Median
$83,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $99,070
State Rank
#36 of 47
350 employed here
How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make in Virginia?
Atmospheric and Space Scientists working in Virginia earn a median salary of $83,880 per year, or about $40.33 per hour. That is 15% below the national median of $99,070 for this occupation.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $68,770 while the top 10% make $179,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,710 and $154,930 a year.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,770 | $33.06 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,710 | $38.80 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,880 | $40.33 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $154,930 | $74.49 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,050 | $86.08 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 36th 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 $128,800California $124,920Hawaii $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 $84,990South 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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($83,880) 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 Virginia?
The median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Virginia is $83,880 per year, or about $40.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $68,770 at the entry level to $179,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Atmospheric and Space Scientists about 15% less than the national median of $99,070. Virginia ranks 36th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $83,880 a year. About 350 Atmospheric and Space Scientists are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.