Atmospheric and Space Scientist salary
From 261 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 19-2021: Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Also filed as: Earth Scientist Atmospheric Science
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 46% of Atmospheric and Space Scientist filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Top filer: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. 30 filings (11% of the total), median $101,259.
- Median up 31% since FY2020. From $75,611 in FY2020 to $98,690 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Atmospheric and Space Scientist H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 261 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Atmospheric and Space Scientist jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 19-2021, Atmospheric and Space Scientists). The median base salary is $96,034, 22% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $73,500 and $114,421. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 46% of filings. Boulder, CO has the most filings (33), and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research is the employer that files the most (30).
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Top employers for Atmospheric and Space Scientist
Battelle Memorial Institute21 filings · 8%$115,500
Brookhaven National Laboratory14 filings · 5%$113,120
The Trustees Of Princeton University12 filings · 5%$67,000
University Of California, San Diego12 filings · 5%$106,550
Employers with the most Atmospheric and Space Scientist filings. Bar: share of all Atmospheric and Space Scientist filings. Figure: median base salary.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 46% of filings
Mid-level · 20% of filings
Senior · 30% of filings
Expert · 5% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $71,200 | 100 |
| Level II · Qualified | $105,290 | 43 |
| Level III · Experienced | $113,130 | 65 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $142,011 | 11 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Atmospheric and Space Scientist pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 7 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $99,910 | 33 |
| Washington, DC | $106,808 | 25 |
| New York, NY | $110,619 | 24 |
| Kennewick, WA | $115,229 | 20 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $96,550 | 16 |
| Trenton, NJ | $67,000 | 13 |
| San Jose, CA | $113,995 | 10 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Atmospheric and Space Scientist does
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.
Typical tasks
- Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
- Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.
- Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate.
- Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.
- Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media.
- Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Atmospheric and Space Scientists (19-2021.00). This section includes information from the 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.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Atmospheric and Space Scientists), the median annual wage was $99,070 in May 2025, with 10,000 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $96,034, 3% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $66,000 | $53,060 |
| 25th percentile | $73,500 | $73,350 |
| Median | $96,034 | $99,070 |
| 75th percentile | $114,421 | $129,960 |
| 90th percentile | $130,000 | $161,890 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $66,000 |
| 25th | $73,500 |
| 50th (median) | $96,034 |
| 75th | $114,421 |
| 90th | $130,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $75,611 | $65,000 | $94,828 | 126 |
| FY2021 | $75,356 | $65,665 | $93,392 | 104 |
| FY2022 | $79,915 | $65,289 | $99,819 | 140 |
| FY2023 | $89,559 | $72,997 | $105,102 | 132 |
| FY2024 | $81,500 | $72,864 | $105,290 | 123 |
| FY2025 | $94,000 | $74,263 | $114,421 | 153 |
| FY2026 | $98,690 | $73,154 | $114,608 | 108 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Atmospheric and Space Scientist make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Atmospheric and Space Scientist jobs is $96,034 (261 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $73,500 and $114,421.
What does an entry-level Atmospheric and Space Scientist earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $71,200. Level I accounts for 46% of Atmospheric and Space Scientist filings.
Which employers file the most H-1B applications for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (30), Battelle Memorial Institute (21) and Brookhaven National Laboratory (14) filed the most Atmospheric and Space Scientist LCAs in FY2025–FY2026.
Do H-1B Atmospheric and Space Scientists earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($96,034) is 3% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($99,070, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.