SOC 19-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Atmospheric and Space Scientists — Colorado
Colorado · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $104,670 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $99,070.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $104,670 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $99,070. Half of workers earn between $85,440 and $140,380. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $76,110 and the ninetieth at $165,500.
The area has 1,150 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 6.22 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 47 states with published data for this occupation, Colorado ranks 18th by median wage. Boulder leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $121,870. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 115th of 738 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $76,110 | −23.2% |
| 25th | $85,440 | −13.8% |
| Median (50th) | $104,670 | +5.7% |
| 75th | $140,380 | +41.7% |
| 90th | $165,500 | +67.1% |
| Mean | $115,630 | +16.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $121,870 | 620 | |
| 2 | Fort Collins | $110,960 | 250 | |
| 3 | Colorado Springs | $106,020 | 40 | |
| 4 | Denver | $85,440 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $104,670 buys what $101,523 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 2.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$104,670as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$101,523US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $104,670 a year, 5.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $76,110 to $165,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,150 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 18th of 47 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boulder, at $121,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Colorado?
The median annual wage is $104,670, or $50.32 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 Colorado is 5.7% 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 Colorado earns more than $165,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $76,110 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 Boulder, at $121,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,150 jobs in this occupation in Colorado. 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.
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