Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Colorado. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Colorado atmospheric and space scientists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $85,440 and $140,380, with a median of $104,670.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Colorado: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 25 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $102,608. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 9 | $80,480 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $81,500 |
| Level III — experienced | 13 | $106,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $119,948 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Colorado. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Corporation for Atmospheric Research | Project Scientist I | 16 | $105,300 |
| University of Colorado | Postdoctoral Associate (Atmospheric and Space Scientist) | 6 | $87,841 |
| Colorado State University | Postdoctoral Fellow | 2 | $80,787 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Research Scientist | 1 | $104,722 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Scientist III at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research$99,200BoulderWage Level IIIDecided Mar 30, 2026I-200-26082-721988
- Research Associate, Space Weather at University of Colorado$114,400BoulderWage Level IIIDecided Feb 18, 2026I-200-26041-632140
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Colorado State University$65,539Fort CollinsWage Level IDecided Jun 5, 2025I-200-25149-029285
- Research Scientist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University$104,722BoulderWage Level IDecided Apr 21, 2025I-200-25104-860347
- Project Scientist II at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research$123,000BroomfieldWage Level IVDecided Feb 25, 2025I-200-25049-702363
- Research Scientist/Scholar I at Colorado State University$96,034Fort CollinsWage Level IIIDecided Feb 3, 2025I-200-25027-644114
- Project Scientist I at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research$105,000BoulderWage Level IIIDecided Nov 26, 2024I-200-24324-486072
- Postdoctoral Fellow I at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research$80,480BoulderWage Level IDecided Nov 25, 2024I-200-24323-481426
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay by experience level in Colorado
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists specialties in Colorado
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 20 certified offers. The most common variant is Project Scientist at a median of $106,761.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Scientist | University Corporation for Atmospheric Research | 7 | $106,761 |
| Postdoctoral Fellow | University Corporation for Atmospheric Research | 5 | $83,270 |
| Scientist | University Corporation for Atmospheric Research | 5 | $102,608 |
| Research Associate, Atmospheric & Space Sciences | University of Colorado | 3 | $114,400 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Colorado, by industry
Median offered wage across 25 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $105,300.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | University Corporation for Atmospheric Research | 16 | $105,300 |
| Education | University of Colorado | 9 | $96,034 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Colorado over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.4 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Geography
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media.
- 02
Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts.
- 03
Measure wind, temperature, and humidity in the upper atmosphere, using weather balloons.
- 04
Prepare weather reports or maps for analysis, distribution, or use in weather broadcasts, using computer graphics.
- 05
Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
- 06
Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.
- 07
Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.
- 08
Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+1.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Colorado
Metro-level salary data for atmospheric and space scientists in major Colorado metropolitan areas.
- Denver$85,440
Compare Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Colorado with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Colorado?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Colorado is $104,670.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
- The Colorado median is +5.5% versus the BLS national figure of $99,218.
- What is the salary range for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,110 and the 90th-percentile at $165,500, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Atmospheric and Space Scientists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 1.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.