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Occupation · SOC 19-2021

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

There are 10,000 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $99,070 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
10,000
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$99,070
Median pay a year
Middle half: $73,350–$129,960
800
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.6%
220
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+67.9% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 50 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $117,600 · LCA filings 23700$117,60023
Boulder, COMedian pay $121,870 · LCA filings 38620$121,87038
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $128,800 · LCA filings 10270$128,80010
Oklahoma City, OKMedian pay $76,480 · LCA filings 5270$76,4805
Anchorage, AKMedian pay $101,640 · LCA filings 0260$101,6400
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $128,790 · LCA filings 18260$128,79018
Fort Collins–Loveland, COMedian pay $110,960 · LCA filings 4250$110,9604
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $88,570 · LCA filings 0240$88,5700
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $111,790 · LCA filings 16220$111,79016
Huntsville, ALMedian pay $81,080 · LCA filings 1180$81,0801

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 10$151,0003010
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$134,060700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 50 · LCA filings 3$133,490503
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 270 · LCA filings 10$128,80027010
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 260 · LCA filings 18$128,79026018

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Boulder, COEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 620383620
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 6 · Employment 700236700
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 260185260
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 220164220
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 270103270

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $105,622 · Level III $127,234 · Level IV $148,845$84,011$105,622$127,234$148,845
Boulder, COLevel II $103,251 · Level III $123,490 · Level IV $143,728$83,013$103,251$123,490$143,728
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $106,330 · Level III $124,696 · Level IV $143,083$87,942$106,330$124,696$143,083
Oklahoma City, OKLevel II $68,453 · Level III $89,149 · Level IV $109,866$47,736$68,453$89,149$109,866
Anchorage, AKLevel II $79,206 · Level III $95,451 · Level IV $111,696$62,962$79,206$95,451$111,696
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $117,686 · Level III $171,475 · Level IV $225,243$63,918$117,686$171,475$225,243
Fort Collins–Loveland, COLevel II $94,349 · Level III $112,466 · Level IV $130,562$76,253$94,349$112,466$130,562
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $74,006 · Level III $86,029 · Level IV $98,051$61,984$74,006$86,029$98,051
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $104,894 · Level III $118,602 · Level IV $132,309$91,187$104,894$118,602$132,309
Huntsville, ALLevel II $79,414 · Level III $98,675 · Level IV $117,936$60,154$79,414$98,675$117,936

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Atmospheric Sciences and MeteorologyCIP 40.04STEM OPT · up to 36 months93STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Climate ScienceCIP 30.35STEM OPT · up to 36 months42STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Atmospheric and Space Scientists in every metro area

All 50 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology