Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
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.
Top skills:ScienceReading ComprehensionWritingMathematicsCritical ThinkingSpeaking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Astronomer pay by experience level
Entry level$80,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$103,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$133,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$172,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$202,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+2.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
100
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Astronomer salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
1,140 workers
$133,000
Scientific Research and Development Services
1,140 workers
$133,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
490 workers
$171,500
Educational Services
470 workers
$114,000
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
470 workers
$174,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
460 workers
$114,500
Educational Services, State Government Owned
310 workers
$111,000
Educational Services, Privately Owned
150 workers
$121,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Astronomer make?
The average base salary for a Astronomer in the United States is $137,500 per year, or about $66.11 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $103,500 and $172,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Astronomer pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
