Salary distribution
Where Virginia 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 $90,750 and $148,680, with a median of $111,920.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 6 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $77,761. 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 | 1 | $77,999 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $110,475 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | 3 | $77,522 |
| National Institute of Aerospace Associates | RESEARCH SCIENTIST II | 1 | $97,718 |
| Battelle Memorial Institute | Earth Scientist (Atmospheric Science) | 1 | $123,231 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University | Research Associate | 1 | $70,040 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow at George Mason University$77,522FairfaxDecided Nov 18, 2025I-200-25314-393326
- RESEARCH SCIENTIST II at National Institute of Aerospace Associates$97,718HamptonWage Level IIDecided Sep 15, 2025I-200-25251-293680
- Earth Scientist (Atmospheric Science) at Battelle Memorial Institute$123,231CharlottesvilleWage Level IIDecided Aug 1, 2025I-200-25206-200774
- Research Associate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University$70,040BlacksburgDecided Jul 14, 2025I-200-25188-156870
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow at George Mason University$77,999FairfaxWage Level IDecided Dec 2, 2024I-200-24327-495379
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow at George Mason University$77,522FairfaxDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25310-381859
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 Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay by experience level in Virginia
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 in Virginia, by industry
Median offered wage across 6 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $77,522.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | George Mason University | 4 | $77,522 |
| Professional services | National Institute of Aerospace Associates | 2 | $110,475 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Virginia over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 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 Virginia
Metro-level salary data for atmospheric and space scientists in major Virginia metropolitan areas.
- Virginia Beach$95,640
Compare Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia is $111,920.
- How does Virginia compare to the national median for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
- The Virginia median is +25.0% versus the BLS national figure of $89,539.
- What is the salary range for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Virginia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $51,500 and the 90th-percentile at $191,880, 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.