Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay range in Fairbanks
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,470 a year or less, while the top 10% make $150,920 or more. The middle half of atmospheric and space scientists in Fairbanks earn between $61,290 and $133,740.
- $56K10th
- $61K25th
- $94KMedian
- $134K75th
- $151K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $97,820 | $8,152 | $47.03 |
| Median | $94,380 | $7,865 | $45.38 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $61,290 | $5,108 | $29.47 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $133,740 | $11,145 | $64.30 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay in Fairbanks vs. Alaska and the U.S.
Atmospheric and space scientists in Fairbanks earn 5% more than the Alaska average ($93,570) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($106,110). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $99,070.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $97,820 | $94,380 | $56,470 | $150,920 | 40 |
| Alaska | $93,570 | $94,380 | $61,150 | $135,030 | n/a |
| United States | $106,110 | $99,070 | $53,060 | $161,890 | 10,000 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary after taxes in Fairbanks
On the average salary of $97,820, a single filer in Fairbanks takes home about $77,646 a year, or $6,471 a month and $2,986 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Alaska's employee unemployment-insurance contribution is not included.
Is Fairbanks a good place for atmospheric and space scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Fairbanks area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.2), so the average $97,820 buys what about $94,779 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Fairbanks ($61,810). A typical home costs $312,179, or 3.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in other Alaska cities
Fairbanks ranks 1st of 2 Alaska metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Fairbanks$97,820
- Anchorage$95,600
Highest-paying cities for atmospheric and space scientists
Chicago, IL pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($182,890).
- Chicago, IL$182,890
- New York, NY$172,010
- San Francisco, CA$164,020
- Albany, NY$130,860
- Indianapolis, IN$130,690
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Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Fairbanks: questions
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make an hour in Fairbanks?
$47.03 an hour on average, and $45.38 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level atmospheric and space scientists salary in Fairbanks?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,470 a year and the 25th percentile is $61,290, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the atmospheric and space scientists take-home pay in Fairbanks?
About $77,646 a year ($6,471 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $97,820. Alaska has no state income tax; Alaska's employee unemployment-insurance contribution is not included.
Do atmospheric and space scientists earn more in Fairbanks than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% less than the U.S. average for this job ($106,110).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2021; area Fairbanks-College, AK (21820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.8%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Alaska's employee unemployment-insurance contribution is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 16.69, this job is 16.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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