Astronomers vs Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Entry path fork: Astronomers (Doctoral or professional degree) vs Atmospheric and Space Scientists (Bachelor's degree)
Same-group titles on each education path
Title set and side labels change with each pair, so sibling compare pages diverge here before shared KPI chrome.
- 1. Agricultural Technicians · near Astronomers
- 2. Animal Scientists · near Astronomers
- 3. Anthropologists and Archeologists · near Astronomers
- 4. Biochemists and Biophysicists · near Astronomers
Task mix after each typical entry path
Task phrases are occupation-specific and survive digit/entity normalization, the residual twin mass after dose-1 chrome forks.
- Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers. · Astronomers (SOC 19-2011)
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals. · Astronomers (SOC 19-2011)
- Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments. · Astronomers (SOC 19-2011)
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects. · Astronomers (SOC 19-2011)
- Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting. · Atmospheric and Space Scientists (SOC 19-2021)
- Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics. · Atmospheric and Space Scientists (SOC 19-2021)
- Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate. · Atmospheric and Space Scientists (SOC 19-2021)
- Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information. · Atmospheric and Space Scientists (SOC 19-2021)
Astronomers · typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
No related experience assigned
Atmospheric and Space Scientists · typical entry
Bachelor's degree
No related experience assigned
Entry requirements diverge before pay does: Astronomers is assigned Doctoral or professional degree while Atmospheric and Space Scientists is assigned Bachelor's degree. That fork shapes time-to-entry; wage and outlook tables remain below for the same pair.
Outlook still differs: Astronomers +2.2% vs Atmospheric and Space Scientists +0.7% through 2034 · openings 100 vs 700/yr.
State pay after entry-path fork
States with dual OEWS rows for Astronomers and Atmospheric and Space Scientists, listed A-Z (geography mass, not a shared pay-gap sort).
| State | Astronomers | Atmospheric and Space Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $129,020 | $115,020 | +$14,000 |
| California | $123,540 | $124,920 | $-1,380 |
| Hawaii | $102,000 | $121,010 | $-19,010 |
| Maryland | $132,620 | $128,800 | +$3,820 |
| Virginia | $128,930 | $83,880 | +$45,050 |
Entry path: Astronomers vs Atmospheric and Space Scientists
| Signal | Astronomers | Atmospheric and Space Scientists |
|---|---|---|
| Typical entry · Astronomers vs Atmospheric and Space Scientists | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Related experience · Atmospheric and Space… | None | None |
| OEWS median annual · Astronomers | $128,820 | $99,070 |
| Job growth 2024-2034 · Astronomers | +2.2% | +0.7% |
| Annual openings · Atmospheric and Space Scientists side | 100 | 700 |
| OEWS total employment · 19-0000 | 2,120 | 10,000 |
| OEWS median hourly · Astronomers | $61.94/hr | $47.63/hr |
| OEWS mean annual · Atmospheric and Space… | $132,920 | $106,110 |
| 10th-percentile annual · Astronomers band | $78,010 | $53,060 |
| 90th-percentile annual · Atmospheric band | $195,190 | $161,890 |
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025 release). Salary figures are annual medians and percentile bands published by BLS.
Common Questions
Which pays more, Astronomers or Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
Which has better job outlook?
What entry education does each side require?
Last updated: May 2025 (BLS OEWS annual release). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.