Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $107,410 +10.2% vs national
Median hourly $51.64
10th percentile $77,690
90th percentile $158,350
Employed locally 50
National median $97,450

Compare Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Atmospheric and Space Scientists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,690
    25th
    $99,030
    50th (median)
    $107,410
    75th
    $131,160
    90th
    $158,350

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary vs area income 105% Median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary is 5% 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
    Hawaii $122,180
    Urban Honolulu, HI $122,180

    Nearby metros — Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $141,370
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $119,270
    California $117,770
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,950
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $105,740
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $105,290

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in San Diego, CA is $51.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.48 or more per hour.

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

    The median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in San Diego, CA is 10.2% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Atmospheric and Space Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $77,690 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,030.