Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in Boulder, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boulder, CO

Median annual salary $121,870 +25.1% vs national
Median hourly $58.59
10th percentile $81,170
90th percentile $184,040
Employed locally 620
National median $97,450

Compare Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Boulder, CO stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Atmospheric and Space Scientists
in
Boulder, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $81,170
    25th
    $86,500
    50th (median)
    $121,870
    75th
    $161,060
    90th
    $184,040

    Boulder economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,772 2023 • Census ACS
    Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary vs area income 119% Median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary is 19% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Atmospheric and Space Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $141,370
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $134,060
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $132,850
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $128,940
    Urban Honolulu, HI $122,180
    Hawaii $122,180

    Nearby metros — Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $141,370
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,600
    New Mexico $114,230
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $112,780
    Colorado $106,310
    Colorado Springs, CO $106,020

    Related occupations in Boulder, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Physicists $144,670
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $86,720
    Chemists $102,600
    Biochemists and Biophysicists $126,800
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $123,350
    Biological Scientists, All Other $137,940

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make per hour in Boulder?

    The median hourly wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Boulder, CO is $58.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $88.48 or more per hour.

    Is Boulder above or below average for Atmospheric and Space Scientists salaries?

    The median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Boulder, CO is 25.1% above the national median of $97,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Boulder?

    Entry-level Atmospheric and Space Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $81,170 per year in Boulder, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $86,500.