Atmospheric and Space Scientists · Virginia

Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in Virginia

Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $83,880 —15.3% below the national median of $99,070. That ranks VA #36 of 47 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$83,880
Median hourly
$40.33
Entry level (P10)
$68,770
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$179,050
90th percentile
Employment
350
0.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-15.3%
U.S. $99,070

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$68,770
$80,710
$83,880
$154,930
$68,770$83,880$179,050
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $83,880.

Employment is 1.31× as concentrated as the national average, making Virginia a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for atmospheric and space scientists

All 47 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Maryland$128,800$61.927504.21
2California$124,920$60.065100.43
3Hawaii$121,010$58.18701.69
4New Jersey$120,180$57.78600.20
5Idaho$119,430$57.42500.96
6New York$117,540$56.513700.59
7Florida$115,960$55.752700.43
8Arizona$115,020$55.30800.36
9Missouri$114,230$54.921600.83
10Illinois$112,280$53.981100.27

Related occupations in Virginia

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.

Frequently asked questions

How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Virginia?

The median annual wage for atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia is $83,880, or $40.33 per hour. That is 15.3% below the national median of $99,070.

What is the entry-level atmospheric and space scientists salary in Virginia?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $68,770 per year ($33.06/hour). The 25th percentile is $80,710.

How many people work as atmospheric and space scientists in Virginia?

About 350 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Virginia a good state for atmospheric and space scientists?

Virginia ranks #36 of 47 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.31x as concentrated as the national average, making Virginia a strong market for this occupation.

Which state pays atmospheric and space scientists the most?

Maryland has the highest median wage at $128,800 per year, followed by California ($124,920) and Hawaii ($121,010).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes