SOC 19-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Atmospheric and Space Scientists — California
California · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California is $124,920 per year, well above the national median of $99,070.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California is $124,920 per year, well above the national median of $99,070. The gap of 26.1% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Pay ranges from under $82,900 at the tenth percentile to more than $175,900 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $105,910 to $144,910.
Employment stands at 510, or 0.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 47 states with published data for this occupation, California ranks 2nd by median wage. San Francisco leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $151,000. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 126th of 793 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,900 | −16.3% |
| 25th | $105,910 | +6.9% |
| Median (50th) | $124,920 | +26.1% |
| 75th | $144,910 | +46.3% |
| 90th | $175,900 | +77.6% |
| Mean | $127,330 | +28.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $151,000 | 30 | |
| 2 | San Diego | $120,370 | 50 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $111,790 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $124,920 buys what $112,846 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 13.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$124,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$112,846US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $124,920 a year, 26.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $82,900 to $175,900 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 510 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 2nd of 47 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $151,000.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California?
The median annual wage is $124,920, or $60.06 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $99,070, so pay in California is 26.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $175,900 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $82,900 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Francisco, at $151,000 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 510 jobs in this occupation in California. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data