How Much Does an Atmospheric Scientist Make? (2025)
Atmospheric scientists are professionals studying the weather and climate of a specific city, country, or continent. They are experts in utilizing meteorological instruments such as radar systems, satellites, and weather balloons to monitor the weather situation and analyze data. This data is analyzed to produce accurate weather forecasts shown to clients or the public.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for atmospheric scientists is expected to grow by 6% over the next decade from 2023 to 2033. Salary.com reports that the average yearly salary for atmospheric scientists in the US is $111,640 for 2025.
Learn more about the salary trend for atmospheric scientists and top-paying cities in the US, as well as some FAQs about the occupation.
What is the Average Atmospheric Scientist’s Salary?
As mentioned above, the average annual salary for atmospheric scientists in the United States is $111,640 in 2025. As of January 1, 2025, the salary range for atmospheric scientists in the US is between $63,115 and $163,146, with most earning $86,240 to $138,600 per year.
2025 Average Salary for Atmospheric Scientists: $111,640 per year ($54 per hour)
An atmospheric scientist’s average monthly salary is $9,303, while the average weekly pay is $2,147. Meanwhile, the salary of an atmospheric scientist per hour is $54 according to the report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $30 | $1,214 | $5,260 | $63,115 |
| 25th Percentile | $41 | $1,658 | $7,187 | $86,240 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $54 | $2,147 | $9,303 | $111,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $67 | $2,665 | $11,550 | $138,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $78 | $3,137 | $13,595 | $163,146 |
Atmospheric Scientist Salaries State by State
Atmospheric scientist salaries may vary across US states depending on key factors such as state minimum wage, occupation demand, location, and standards of living.
As shown in the table below, the three (3) states with the lowest average annual salary for atmospheric scientists in the United States are Mississippi, South Dakota, and West Virginia with $99,580, $100,370, and $100,480, respectively.
Meanwhile, the three (3) states with the highest average annual salary for atmospheric scientists are the District of Columbia, California, and New Jersey with $124,260, $123,140, and $122,360, respectively.
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $121,580 |
| Alabama | $102,600 |
| Arkansas | $101,700 |
| Arizona | $108,740 |
| California | $123,140 |
| Colorado | $113,870 |
| Connecticut | $119,900 |
| District of Columbia | $124,260 |
| Delaware | $113,310 |
| Florida | $106,060 |
| Georgia | $107,960 |
| Hawaii | $116,660 |
| Iowa | $106,840 |
| Idaho | $104,160 |
| Illinois | $114,210 |
| Indiana | $108,290 |
| Kansas | $106,280 |
| Kentucky | $105,050 |
| Louisiana | $106,170 |
| Massachusetts | $121,460 |
| Maryland | $115,100 |
| Maine | $108,630 |
| Michigan | $110,190 |
| Minnesota | $114,210 |
| Missouri | $106,390 |
| Mississippi | $99,580 |
| Montana | $104,270 |
| North Carolina | $107,170 |
| North Dakota | $110,520 |
| Nebraska | $105,170 |
| New Hampshire | $113,540 |
| New Jersey | $122,360 |
| New Mexico | $102,930 |
| Nevada | $112,090 |
| New York | $119,010 |
| Ohio | $109,180 |
| Oklahoma | $103,270 |
| Oregon | $113,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $111,420 |
| Rhode Island | $116,550 |
| South Carolina | $105,390 |
| South Dakota | $100,370 |
| Tennessee | $103,380 |
| Texas | $109,300 |
| Utah | $106,170 |
| Virginia | $111,980 |
| Vermont | $109,520 |
| Washington | $120,350 |
| Wisconsin | $110,300 |
| West Virginia | $100,480 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Atmospheric Scientists?
Atmospheric scientist salaries also vary by city due to the differences in standard of living, local demand for occupation, and industry rates in metropolitan areas.
The table below shows that the labor industry in California is offering higher average annual salaries for atmospheric scientists, specifically in cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland. Certain cities such as New York, Queens Village, and Paramus also show signs of increased demand for atmospheric scientist occupations:
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $140,110 ($67 per hour) |
| San Francisco, California | $139,550 ($67 per hour) |
| Oakland, California | $136,200 ($65 per hour) |
| New York, New York | $130,400 ($63 per hour) |
| Queens Village, New York | $129,500 ($62 per hour) |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $128,610 ($62 per hour) |
How Does Experience Affect Atmospheric Scientist Salaries?
Having more experience gives atmospheric scientists an edge over their peers and plays an important role in increasing their salary.
Salary.com reports that entry-level atmospheric scientists earn an average annual income of $97,685. Having 2 more years of experience can increase an atmospheric scientist’s salary to $99,567.
After 2 to 4 years of experience, the salary for atmospheric scientists could increase to about $102,579. Specialist and expert-level atmospheric scientists can earn up to $107,096 and $113,657, respectively.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Atmospheric Scientist | $97,685 |
| Intermediate Level Atmospheric Scientist | $99,567 |
| Senior Level Atmospheric Scientist | $102,579 |
| Specialist Level Atmospheric Scientist | $107,096 |
| Expert Level Atmospheric Scientist | $113,657 |
How to Increase Salary as an Atmospheric Scientist?
Atmospheric scientists are typically required to earn a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or other related fields in physical science. They must also complete courses in physics, mathematics, and computer programming since atmospheric scientists are bound to deal with data analysis, mathematical models, and complex weather software.
However, it’s also important to note that employers in the industry have different preferences and requirements for atmospheric scientists. Below are some common atmospheric scientist advancements and skills:
Atmospheric Scientist Advancements
- Licenses and Certifications: Depending on their chosen fields, it would be a huge benefit for atmospheric scientists to obtain credentials and certifications from reputable associations such as the Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) or Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) programs of the American Meteorological Society (AMS).
- Professional Field Advancements: With enough experience and credentials, an atmospheric scientist may also thrive in other professional fields of occupation related to atmospheric science such as broadcast, forensic, and research meteorologists, climatologists, and weather forecasters.
Atmospheric Scientist Skills
Gaining sought-after skills for an atmospheric scientist is an effective way to earn more salaries and unlock more career opportunities. The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand skills for atmospheric scientists are chemical engineering and environmental testing with 20.27% and 1.58%, respectively.
Also, essential skills such as chemical engineering and molecular biology can increase the salary for atmospheric scientists by 10.26% and 8.96%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | 20.27% | +10.26% |
| Molecular Biology | 0.98% | +8.96% |
| Environmental Testing | 1.58% | +8.29% |
| Atmospheric Science | 1.38% | +8.29% |
| Physical Sciences | 0.98% | +8.12% |
| Technical Writing | 0.98% | +7.76% |
What are the FAQs About Atmospheric Scientist Salaries?
Here are some common questions about the atmospheric scientist salary:
What does an atmospheric scientist do?
An atmospheric scientist studies the weather and climate of a specific city, country, or continent. At times, many atmospheric scientists work with hydrologists, geoscientists, and other researchers to analyze critical issues involving weather and climate.
- Measure temperature, gather historical weather data, and other atmospheric properties like dewpoint, humidity, and wind speed.
- Write computer programs to analyze atmospheric data (also called meteorological data) from weather models.
- Initiate weather modeling efforts, conduct research, and evaluate research data to acquire a better understanding of weather phenomena.
- Produce weather reports, long-term, and short term weather forecasts to be reported to the public using advanced weather instruments.
- When it comes to crucial issues caused by severe weather like air pollution, hurricanes, and flash floods, atmospheric scientists are also obliged to formulate possible solutions.
What educational background or degree is needed to become an atmospheric scientist?
Atmospheric scientists typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or any other related field of physical sciences. Moreover, if they aim to work in the research industry, atmospheric scientists must at least possess a master’s or doctorate.
How long does it take to become an atmospheric scientist?
To work as an atmospheric scientist, one must at least finish a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or atmospheric science which takes four (4) years.
Are atmospheric scientists in demand?
Yes. BLS reports that the job outlook for atmospheric scientists from 2023 to 2033 is expected to grow by 6%, which is faster than the average occupational growth.
