Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $80,210 a year or less, while the top 10% make $167,400 or more. The middle half of atmospheric and space scientists in San Diego earn between $94,400 and $138,660.
- $80K10th
- $94K25th
- $120KMedian
- $139K75th
- $167K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $117,470 | $9,789 | $56.48 |
| Median | $120,370 | $10,031 | $57.87 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $94,400 | $7,867 | $45.38 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $138,660 | $11,555 | $66.66 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Atmospheric and space scientists in San Diego earn 8% less than the California average ($127,330) and 11% more than the U.S. average ($106,110). At the median the gap is +21% against the U.S. median of $99,070.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $117,470 | $120,370 | $80,210 | $167,400 | 50 |
| California | $127,330 | $124,920 | $82,900 | $175,900 | 510 |
| United States | $106,110 | $99,070 | $53,060 | $161,890 | 10,000 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $117,470, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $84,637 a year, or $7,053 a month and $3,255 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for atmospheric and space scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $117,470 buys what about $104,990 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.1 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 8.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 3rd of 3 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($164,020).
- San Francisco$164,020
- Los Angeles$118,740
- San Diego$117,470
Highest-paying cities for atmospheric and space scientists
Chicago, IL pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($182,890).
- Chicago, IL$182,890
- New York, NY$172,010
- San Francisco, CA$164,020
- Albany, NY$130,860
- Indianapolis, IN$130,690
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Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in San Diego: questions
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make an hour in San Diego?
$56.48 an hour on average, and $57.87 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level atmospheric and space scientists salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $80,210 a year and the 25th percentile is $94,400, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the atmospheric and space scientists take-home pay in San Diego?
About $84,637 a year ($7,053 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $117,470. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do atmospheric and space scientists earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% more than the U.S. average for this job ($106,110).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2021; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.48, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.48).
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