Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay range in Philadelphia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $55,470 a year or less, while the top 10% make $170,790 or more. The middle half of atmospheric and space scientists in Philadelphia earn between $74,870 and $126,320.
- $55K10th
- $75K25th
- $83KMedian
- $126K75th
- $171K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $100,270 | $8,356 | $48.21 |
| Median | $82,980 | $6,915 | $39.89 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $74,870 | $6,239 | $36.00 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $126,320 | $10,527 | $60.73 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay in Philadelphia vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Atmospheric and space scientists in Philadelphia earn 13% more than the Pennsylvania average ($88,930) and 6% less than the U.S. average ($106,110). At the median the gap is -16% against the U.S. median of $99,070.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $100,270 | $82,980 | $55,470 | $170,790 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $88,930 | $75,890 | $49,750 | $156,750 | 160 |
| 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 Philadelphia
On the average salary of $100,270, a single filer in Philadelphia takes home about $76,292 a year, or $6,358 a month and $2,934 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in PA | $76,292 | $6,358 |
| Working in NJ | $75,173 | $6,264 |
| Working in MD | $74,819 | $6,235 |
| Working in DE | $73,983 | $6,165 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Philadelphia a good place for atmospheric and space scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Philadelphia area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 102.6), so the average $100,270 buys what about $97,773 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Philadelphia ($54,310). A typical home costs $390,463, or 3.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$124,880
- New York, NY$172,010
- Washington, DC$127,450
- Richmond, VA$119,260
- Albany, NY$130,860
- Virginia Beach, VA$115,700
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 Philadelphia: questions
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make an hour in Philadelphia?
$48.21 an hour on average, and $39.89 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level atmospheric and space scientists salary in Philadelphia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $55,470 a year and the 25th percentile is $74,870, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the atmospheric and space scientists take-home pay in Philadelphia?
About $76,292 a year ($6,358 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $100,270. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do atmospheric and space scientists earn more in Philadelphia than elsewhere?
The average here is 6% less 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (37980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.1%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.37, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.37).
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