Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Chemists: $99K vs $91K Median Pay

Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Chemists: what changes?

Consider Atmospheric and Space Scientists if you want to investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Consider Chemists if you would rather conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Atmospheric and Space Scientists and Chemists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

National median pay (2025): $99,070
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 800

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (10,700 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Atmospheric and Space Scientists brief

Chemists

National median pay (2025): $91,240
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 5,900

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Chemists brief

How the national numbers differ

Chemists has the edge on annual openings

Chemists is at 5,900 annual openings, compared with 800 annual openings for Atmospheric and Space Scientists.

Chemists has the edge on projected growth

Chemists is at 6.4% projected growth, compared with 2.6% projected growth for Atmospheric and Space Scientists.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists has the edge on median pay

Atmospheric and Space Scientists is at $99,070, compared with $91,240 for Chemists.

44.8/ 100

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

64.2/ 100

Chemists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Chemists

Dimension	Atmospheric and Space Scientists	Chemists
Median pay (2025)	$99,070	$91,240
Pay percentile	81.9 percentile	77.5 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	2.6%	6.4%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	800	5,900
2025 employment	10,700	84,900
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Atmospheric and Space Scientists brief Read Chemists brief

Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Chemists: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

Chemists

How the national numbers differ

Chemists has the edge on annual openings

Chemists has the edge on projected growth

Atmospheric and Space Scientists has the edge on median pay

Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Chemists

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