19 Series · SOC 19-2011

Astronomers Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$128,820
Median / year
$195,190
Top 10% earn
+2.2%
Growth '23–'33
2,120
US workers

Astronomers earn a median of $128,820 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $128,820, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $78,010 (10th percentile) to $195,190 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 2,120 US workers. Maryland pays the most ($132,620), since pay varies by state and metro area.

19 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Astronomers earn a median of $128,820, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 92% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Life, Physical, and Social Science, it ranks #4 of 48 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 2.2% by 2033.

$128,820
Median annual wage
Top 8%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#4 of 48
in Life, Physical, and Social Science
2.5×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Maryland at $132,620. Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.

Astronomers (SOC 19-2011) pays a national median of $128,820 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $78,010 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 at the 90th, with a mean of $132,920 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 2,120 Americans work in this occupation across 5 reporting states and 2 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +2.2% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 100 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Doctoral or professional degree. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 1.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.7 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Maryland pays the highest state median at $132,620, which is +3% above the national figure. The top metro is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $156,750 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 2,120 jobs Median $128,820/yr

Median Salary

$128,820

per year

Median Hourly

$61.94/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$132,920

average

Employment

2,120

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Astronomers pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$128,820 Top 8% higher than 92% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Below this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Below this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Below this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). This entry sits in this band. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 19-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Astronomers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 19-series occupations with growth data, Astronomers sits on the slower-growing side at +2.2% growth and $128,820 median pay.

Among 25 19-series occupations with growth data, Astronomers sits on the slower-growing side at +2.2% growth and $128,820 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $0$50000$100000$150000$200000 -5%0%5%10%15% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 19-series occupations with growth data, Astronomers sits on the slower-growing side at +2.2% growth and $128,820 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+2.2%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

100

per year (projected)

Typical Education

Doctoral or professional degree

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

1.5/100K

Injury Rate

0.7/100

Danger Index

3.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Astronomers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.3
Science 4.3
Writing 4.1
Mathematics 4.1
Critical Thinking 4.1
Active Listening 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Active Learning 4.0
Learning Strategies 3.8
Judgment and Decision Making 3.6

Knowledge Areas

Physics 5.0
Mathematics 4.9
Computers and Electronics 4.2
English Language 4.0
Education and Training 3.4
Engineering and Technology 3.2
Chemistry 3.0
Communications and Media 2.4
Administration and Management 2.4
Design 2.4

Key Tasks

  • ▸ 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.
  • ▸ Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
  • ▸ Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$78,010$99,920$128,820$166,000$195,190
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$37.50$48.04$61.94$79.81$93.84
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$78,010

25th Percentile

$99,920

Median

$128,820

75th Percentile

$166,000

90th Percentile

$195,190

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Maryland $132,620 2. Arizona $129,020 3. Virginia $128,930 4. California $123,540 5. Hawaii $102,000

Lowest Paying States

1. Hawaii $102,000 2. California $123,540 3. Virginia $128,930 4. Arizona $129,020 5. Maryland $132,620
View all 5 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Maryland $132,620 +3% above national
2 Arizona $129,020 same as national
3 Virginia $128,930 same as national
4 California $123,540 4% below national
5 Hawaii $102,000 21% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $156,750 2. Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $106,340

Lowest Paying Metros

-2. Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $106,340 -1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $156,750
View all 2 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $156,750 +22% above national
2 Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $106,340 17% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 19 (life physical and social science) with comparable pay and career paths.

Agricultural Technicians

SOC 19-4012

Animal Scientists

SOC 19-1011

Anthropologists and Archeologists

SOC 19-3091

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

SOC 19-2021

Biochemists and Biophysicists

SOC 19-1021
Compare Astronomers side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Astronomers make? ▼
The median annual salary for Astronomers is $128,820 ($61.94/hour). The salary range spans from $78,010 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Astronomers the most? ▼
Maryland pays the highest median salary for Astronomers at $132,620/year, which is +3% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Astronomers? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Astronomers is Doctoral or professional degree.
How dangerous is being a Astronomers? ▼
Astronomers has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 1.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.7 per 100 workers.
Is Astronomers a good career? ▼
Employment for Astronomers is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 100 openings are projected each year.
How does Astronomers pay vary by state? ▼
Astronomers salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Maryland at $132,620/year, while Maryland pays the least at $132,620/year. BLS data covers 5 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Astronomers? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Astronomers is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $156,750/year. BLS reports wage data for 2 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Astronomers pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $166,000/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Maryland leads at $132,620/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.