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Highest-paying science jobs in Atlanta
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-paying science jobs in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage. Jobs the BLS lists as "life, physical, and social science occupations" were included.
#30. Forensic science technicians
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $51,880
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- Employment: 17,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,980)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,410)
- Annual mean salary: $51,880
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- Employment: 17,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,980)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,410)
#29. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $52,370
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,550
- Employment: 34,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($79,780)
--- Huntsville, AL ($78,320)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($76,970)
- Annual mean salary: $52,370
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,550
- Employment: 34,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($79,780)
--- Huntsville, AL ($78,320)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($76,970)
#28. Chemical technicians
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $53,160
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,040
- Employment: 57,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($86,340)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($78,000)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($77,020)
- Annual mean salary: $53,160
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,040
- Employment: 57,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($86,340)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($78,000)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($77,020)
#27. Anthropologists and archeologists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $55,290
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 6,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($85,120)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($84,300)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,990)
- Annual mean salary: $55,290
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 6,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($85,120)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($84,300)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,990)
#26. Food science technicians
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $59,800
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,870
- Employment: 11,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($66,580)
--- Owensboro, KY ($63,700)
--- Columbus, OH ($61,420)
- Annual mean salary: $59,800
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,870
- Employment: 11,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($66,580)
--- Owensboro, KY ($63,700)
--- Columbus, OH ($61,420)
#25. Biochemists and biophysicists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $60,160
- #55 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,460
- Employment: 35,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($135,070)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,520)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($133,390)
- Annual mean salary: $60,160
- #55 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,460
- Employment: 35,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($135,070)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,520)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($133,390)
#24. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $64,430
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,550
- Employment: 23,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($161,290)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($156,870)
--- Midland, TX ($156,270)
- Annual mean salary: $64,430
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,550
- Employment: 23,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($161,290)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($156,870)
--- Midland, TX ($156,270)
#23. Epidemiologists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $64,440
- #46 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,740
- Employment: 8,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($145,410)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($139,240)
--- Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY ($124,460)
- Annual mean salary: $64,440
- #46 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,740
- Employment: 8,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($145,410)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($139,240)
--- Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY ($124,460)
#22. Forest and conservation technicians
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $68,370
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,420
- Employment: 30,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($68,370)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($66,570)
--- Corvallis, OR ($62,260)
- Annual mean salary: $68,370
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,420
- Employment: 30,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($68,370)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($66,570)
--- Corvallis, OR ($62,260)
#21. Food scientists and technologists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $68,760
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,150
- Employment: 13,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($138,600)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,970)
--- Wichita, KS ($102,100)
- Annual mean salary: $68,760
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,150
- Employment: 13,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($138,600)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,970)
--- Wichita, KS ($102,100)
#20. Geographers
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $69,200
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,740
- Employment: 1,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,570)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($89,690)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($78,050)
- Annual mean salary: $69,200
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,740
- Employment: 1,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,570)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($89,690)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($78,050)
#19. Historians
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $69,940
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,130
- Employment: 2,910
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($101,240)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($89,840)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($86,780)
- Annual mean salary: $69,940
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,130
- Employment: 2,910
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($101,240)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($89,840)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($86,780)
#18. Occupational health and safety technicians
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $70,240
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
- Annual mean salary: $70,240
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
#17. Zoologists and wildlife biologists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $74,290
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,300
- Employment: 15,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($109,570)
--- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS ($106,800)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,350)
- Annual mean salary: $74,290
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,300
- Employment: 15,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($109,570)
--- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS ($106,800)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,350)
#16. Clinical and counseling psychologists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $75,500
- #212 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- Employment: 58,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($136,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,200)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,060)
- Annual mean salary: $75,500
- #212 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- Employment: 58,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($136,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,200)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,060)
#15. Urban and regional planners
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $77,710
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,310
- Employment: 38,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($119,680)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,740)
- Annual mean salary: $77,710
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,310
- Employment: 38,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($119,680)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,740)
#14. Foresters
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $80,970
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,710
- Employment: 9,500
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($96,220)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($90,320)
- Annual mean salary: $80,970
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,710
- Employment: 9,500
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($96,220)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($90,320)
#13. Atmospheric and space scientists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $81,160
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,880
- Employment: 8,520
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,860)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($118,420)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($114,860)
- Annual mean salary: $81,160
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,880
- Employment: 8,520
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,860)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($118,420)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($114,860)
#12. Conservation scientists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $82,050
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,230
- Employment: 22,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($108,670)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($106,200)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($101,900)
- Annual mean salary: $82,050
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,230
- Employment: 22,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($108,670)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($106,200)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($101,900)
#11. School psychologists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $83,720
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,770
- Employment: 57,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($116,280)
--- El Centro, CA ($116,010)
--- Fresno, CA ($115,360)
- Annual mean salary: $83,720
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,770
- Employment: 57,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($116,280)
--- El Centro, CA ($116,010)
--- Fresno, CA ($115,360)
#10. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $83,810
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- Employment: 76,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($116,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($109,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,710)
- Annual mean salary: $83,810
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- Employment: 76,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($116,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($109,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,710)
#9. Occupational health and safety specialists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $84,740
- #63 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,740
- Employment: 106,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($111,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,020)
- Annual mean salary: $84,740
- #63 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,740
- Employment: 106,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($111,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,020)
#8. Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $85,660
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 9,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($89,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($88,050)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($86,860)
- Annual mean salary: $85,660
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 9,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($89,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($88,050)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($86,860)
#7. Materials scientists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $87,790
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,790
- Employment: 6,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($142,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($135,480)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($133,380)
- Annual mean salary: $87,790
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,790
- Employment: 6,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($142,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($135,480)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($133,380)
#6. Social science research assistants
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $88,730
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,430
- Employment: 28,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($88,730)
--- Columbia, SC ($77,760)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($70,570)
- Annual mean salary: $88,730
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,430
- Employment: 28,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($88,730)
--- Columbia, SC ($77,760)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($70,570)
#5. Microbiologists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $100,540
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,820
- Employment: 19,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Knoxville, TN ($125,380)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($121,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,340)
- Annual mean salary: $100,540
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,820
- Employment: 19,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Knoxville, TN ($125,380)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($121,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,340)
#4. Chemists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $100,680
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,130
- Employment: 80,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,290)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($115,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($108,330)
- Annual mean salary: $100,680
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,130
- Employment: 80,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,290)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($115,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($108,330)
#3. Hydrologists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $104,330
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,780
- Employment: 6,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($148,150)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($136,920)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,470)
- Annual mean salary: $104,330
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,780
- Employment: 6,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($148,150)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($136,920)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,470)
#2. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $105,480
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,050
- Employment: 108,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($176,770)
--- Columbia, SC ($155,570)
--- Danbury, CT ($151,970)
- Annual mean salary: $105,480
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,050
- Employment: 108,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($176,770)
--- Columbia, SC ($155,570)
--- Danbury, CT ($151,970)
#1. Physicists
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
- Annual mean salary: $126,200
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- Employment: 20,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($199,830)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($195,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,250)
- Annual mean salary: $126,200
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- Employment: 20,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($199,830)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($195,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,250)
