Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay in California
In California, the median pay for atmospheric and space scientists is $60.06 an hour ($124,920 a year). About 510 people work in this job there.
That is 26% higher than the U.S. median ($99,070). California ranks 2nd of 47 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $39.86 | $82,900 |
| 25% of workers | $50.92 | $105,910 |
| Half of workers (median) | $60.06 | $124,920 |
| 75% of workers | $69.67 | $144,910 |
| 90% of workers | $84.57 | $175,900 |
Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $151,000 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $120,370 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $111,790 | 220 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for atmospheric and space scientists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +2.6% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 |
| Chemists | $97,860 |
| Physicists | $207,490 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $106,500 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $130,610 |
| Materials Scientists | $177,030 |
| Hydrologists | $122,110 |
Other job titles for this job
Open atmospheric and space scientists jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring atmospheric and space scientists? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.