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What does a Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary really buy you in West Virginia?
West Virginia is 10.8% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
West Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 89.2, meaning prices are 10.8% lower the national average. A Atmospheric and Space Scientists earning $80,690 in West Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $90,459 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for West Virginia's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $41,650 | $46,692 | +$5,042 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $52,060 | $58,363 | +$6,303 |
| Median (P50) | $80,690 | $90,459 | +$9,769 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $100,420 | $112,578 | +$12,158 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $136,990 | $153,576 | +$16,586 |
A Atmospheric and Space Scientists in West Virginia earns $80,690 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 12% further — like earning $90,459 in an average-cost state. This makes West Virginia one of the best value states for this occupation.
West Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 89.2 means a basket of goods and services costs about 10.8% less than the national average. For a Atmospheric and Space Scientists, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
Adjusting $80,690 for West Virginia's cost of living yields $90,460 — a 12.1% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
West Virginia's rank of #33 of 47 states means real purchasing power for Atmospheric and Space Scientists trails the national half-way line.
Where does Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
West Virginia ranks #33 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 West Virginia after taxes →
A Atmospheric and Space Scientists in West Virginia earns a median salary of $80,690 per year. After adjusting for West Virginia's cost of living (RPP=89.2), the real purchasing power is $90,459 — a +12.1% difference.
West Virginia's cost of living is 10.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for West Virginia is 89.2 (US average = 100).
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.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Atmospheric and Space Scientists in West Virginia: $80,690 x (100 / 89.2) = $90,459. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Atmospheric and Space Scientists in West Virginia enjoys 12.1% 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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