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Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in Michigan: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary really buy you in Michigan?

Michigan is 6.6% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$103,210
Median annual (2025)
+7.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$110,503
COL-adjusted (RPP=93.4)

Michigan Cost of Living Index

Michigan's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 93.4, meaning prices are 6.6% lower the national average. A Atmospheric and Space Scientists earning $103,210 in Michigan has the equivalent purchasing power of $110,503 in an average-cost US state.

MI: 93.4
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Michigan's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $49,580 $53,083 +$3,503
25th Percentile (P25) $73,920 $79,143 +$5,223
Median (P50) $103,210 $110,503 +$7,293
75th Percentile (P75) $134,130 $143,608 +$9,478
90th Percentile (P90) $151,110 $161,788 +$10,678
Key Insight

A Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Michigan earns $103,210 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 7% further — like earning $110,503 in an average-cost state. This makes Michigan one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Michigan Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 93.4

With an RPP of 93.4, Michigan is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Atmospheric and Space Scientists is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+7.1%

After applying Michigan's RPP, the $103,210 median salary translates to $110,503 in real terms — a 7.1% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Atmospheric and Space Scientists.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#14 / 47

Michigan sits at #14 of 47 states for Atmospheric and Space Scientists COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Atmospheric and Space Scientists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Idaho
$130,098
RPP 91.8
$125,389
RPP 91.1
$122,666
RPP 105.0
4. Kansas
$121,444
RPP 90.0
$120,956
RPP 91.0
6. Montana
$120,586
RPP 90.3
$115,480
RPP 89.4
8. Arizona
$115,135
RPP 99.9
9. Florida
$113,574
RPP 102.1
10. Nevada
$113,381
RPP 96.4

Michigan ranks #14 out of 47 states for Atmospheric and Space Scientists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Atmospheric and Space Scientists take-home pay in Michigan after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Michigan after cost of living?

A Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Michigan earns a median salary of $103,210 per year. After adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (RPP=93.4), the real purchasing power is $110,503 — a +7.1% difference.

Is Michigan expensive to live in?

Michigan's cost of living is 6.6% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Michigan is 93.4 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Michigan: $103,210 x (100 / 93.4) = $110,503. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Michigan financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Michigan enjoys 7.1% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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