Astronomers Salary
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 2.1K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$128,820
Median hourly
$62
Average annual
$132,920
Typical range
$78,010–$195,190
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Astronomers is $128,820 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $62 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems..
Most earn between $78,010 and $195,190 a year. There are roughly 2.1K people employed as astronomers in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Astronomers.
- Hourly
- $61.93
- Daily
- $495
- Weekly
- $2,477
- Bi-weekly
- $4,955
- Monthly
- $10,735
- Annual
- $128,820
$128,820 a year is around the 50th percentile for Astronomerss. The median is $128,820.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Maryland$132,620
- 2Arizona$129,020
- 3Virginia$128,930
- 4California$123,540
- 5Hawaii$102,000
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$156,750
Related job titles
Employers advertise Astronomers roles under these titles.
- Astronomer
- Astronomy Outreach Coordinator
- Cosmologist
- Extragalactic Astronomer
- Galactic Astronomer
- High-Energy Astrophysicist
- Institute Scientist
- Optical Astronomer
- Planetary Astronomer
- Postdoc Scientist (Postdoctoral Scientist)
- Radio Astronomer
- Research Astrophysicist
- Solar Astronomer
- Stellar Astronomer
- Theoretical Astronomer
Related occupations
- Physicists$172,250
- Mathematicians$126,710
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary$100,310
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$101,920
- Biochemists and Biophysicists$127,410
- Data Scientists$120,230
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$103,170
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists$99,070
What a Astronomers does
- Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
- Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
- Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena.
- Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
- Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Astronomers make?
- The median annual wage for Astronomers is $128,820 ($62 per hour). Pay ranges from about $78,010 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Astronomers?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $132,920, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Astronomerss the most?
- Maryland has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $132,620.
- Is Astronomers a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 2.1K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Astronomers do?
- Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.; Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.; Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments..