SOC 19-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Atmospheric and Space Scientists — San Diego
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 2 metro areas compared
In San Diego, CA the median wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists is $120,370 a year, which is 21.5% higher than the national figure of $99,070.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In San Diego, CA the median wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists is $120,370 a year, which is 21.5% higher than the national figure of $99,070. Half of workers earn between $94,400 and $138,660. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $80,210 and the ninetieth at $167,400.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.0 of every thousand jobs. 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 107th of 671 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $80,210 | −19.0% |
| 25th | $94,400 | −4.7% |
| Median (50th) | $120,370 | +21.5% |
| 75th | $138,660 | +40.0% |
| 90th | $167,400 | +69.0% |
| Mean | $117,470 | +18.6% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $151,000 | 30 | |
| 2 | Los Angeles | $111,790 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Diego run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $120,370 buys what $108,735 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 9.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$120,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$108,735US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $120,370 a year, 21.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $80,210 to $167,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in 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 San Diego, CA?
The median annual wage is $120,370, or $57.87 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 San Diego, CA is 21.5% 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 San Diego, CA earns more than $167,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $80,210 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 50 jobs in this occupation in San Diego, CA. 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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