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
- -2.5%
- 2024→2025
- $195,190
- Top 10% earn
- +2.2%
- Growth '24–'34
- 2,120
- Estimated US jobs
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 estimated jobs in covered establishments. The highest published state median in this ranking is Maryland ($132,620).
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 2034.
- $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.
Observed pay change
What changed, BLS OEWS 2019–2025
- The published national median for Astronomers moved from $114,590 in May 2019 to $128,820 in May 2025 (+12.4%).
- Across the 749 occupations priced in both releases under SOC-2018, the median occupation changed +24.5%.
- Astronomers sits -12.0 pp behind that median, nominal dollars, no price deflator applied.
Astronomers (SOC 19-2011) has a national median of $128,820 per year in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release. The published 10th-to-90th-percentile boundaries run from $78,010 to $195,190, and the published mean is $132,920. Those summary statistics describe the estimated distribution; their difference alone does not identify its cause. OEWS estimates 2,120 jobs in covered establishments nationally. WageDex has published rows for 5 state or territory areas and 2 metropolitan or nonmetropolitan wage areas. The published national median moved from $132,170 in the May 2024 OEWS release to $128,820 in May 2025, a fall of $3,350 (-2.5%). This is a change between two BLS survey estimates, not an inflation-adjusted same-worker pay raise.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +2.2% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which we classify as about as fast as average relative to the all-occupations baseline of 3.1%. About 100 openings are projected per year from growth, occupational transfers, and labor-force exits. BLS assigns Doctoral or professional degree as typical education needed for entry. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific fatality and injury rate for this role in the current release. The safety panel below shows its broad Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations SOC-group context and is not an occupation-level measurement or ranking.
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 highest published metropolitan-area median in this ranking is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $156,750. The observed difference does not identify its cause. Pair the national median with the state and metropolitan-area rows below while keeping the geography and statistic consistent. OEWS includes tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses, but not employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, or nonproduction bonuses. See our methodology for the sourcing and calculation details.
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
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.
Read the chart as text · as of May 2025
| Band | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$20,000 | 0 US occupations | 0% |
| $20,000–$40,000 | 98 US occupations | 12% |
| $40,000–$60,000 | 298 US occupations | 36% |
| $60,000–$80,000 | 209 US occupations | 25% |
| $80,000–$100,000 | 82 US occupations | 10% |
| $100,000–$120,000 | 58 US occupations | 7% |
| $120,000–$140,000 (this entry) | 32 US occupations | 4% |
| $140,000–$160,000 | 14 US occupations | 2% |
| $160,000–$180,000 | 9 US occupations | 1% |
| $180,000 and above | 25 US occupations | 3% |
$128,820 · 92nd percentile of 825 US occupations
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).
Read the chart as text
- Medical Scientists, …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 8.7%, Median annual wage $103410
- Occupational Health …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 12.5%, Median annual wage $90150
- Environmental Scient…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.4%, Median annual wage $82220
- Chemists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.9%, Median annual wage $91240
- Clinical and Counsel…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 11.2%, Median annual wage $100580
- Life, Physical, and …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.5%, Median annual wage $62280
- Biological Technicians: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.5%, Median annual wage $57510
- School Psychologists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 0.7%, Median annual wage $95990
- Chemical Technicians: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.7%, Median annual wage $60390
- Biological Scientist…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.2%, Median annual wage $98920
- Urban and Regional P…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.4%, Median annual wage $89320
- Social Scientists an…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -1.7%, Median annual wage $101110
- Environmental Scienc…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4%, Median annual wage $55090
- Biochemists and Biop…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.8%, Median annual wage $127410
- Social Science Resea…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.4%, Median annual wage $61990
- Occupational Health …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 8.5%, Median annual wage $61560
- Forest and Conservat…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -3.2%, Median annual wage $54560
- Conservation Scienti…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.4%, Median annual wage $73010
- Geoscientists, Excep…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.2%, Median annual wage $101920
- Physical Scientists,…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 0.6%, Median annual wage $122570
- Physicists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4%, Median annual wage $172250
- Forensic Science Tec…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 12.8%, Median annual wage $72060
- Microbiologists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.1%, Median annual wage $87990
- Psychologists, All O…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.3%, Median annual wage $110840
- Astronomers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.2%, Median annual wage $128820
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+2.2%
About as fast as average
Annual Openings
100
per year (projected)
Typical Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations context
Broad SOC context, not an occupation grade
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
Knowledge Areas
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
Hourly Rate Distribution
Astronomers pay history, 2015–2025
Published national median across 11 BLS OEWS releases. Nominal dollars, not inflation-adjusted.
Read the chart as text
| Period | National median |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $104,100 |
| 2016 | $104,740 |
| 2017 | $100,590 |
| 2018 | $105,680 |
| 2019 | $114,590 |
| 2020 | $119,730 |
| 2021 | $128,160 |
| 2022 | $128,330 |
| 2023 | $127,930 |
| 2024 | $132,170 |
| 2025 | $128,820 |
2015 median
$104,100
2025 median
$128,820
2019–2025 change (same SOC)
+$14,230 (+12.4%)
Avg/year (same SOC)
+2%
| Release | Median | Change | Estimated jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | $104,100 | First banked release | 1,760 |
| May 2016 | $104,740 | +0.6% | 1,830 |
| May 2017 | $100,590 | -4.0% | 2,020 |
| May 2018 | $105,680 | +5.1% | 2,160 |
| May 2019 | $114,590 | Classification break | 2,070 |
| May 2020 | $119,730 | +4.5% | 1,910 |
| May 2021 | $128,160 | +7.0% | 1,930 |
| May 2022 | $128,330 | +0.1% | 2,160 |
| May 2023 | $127,930 | -0.3% | 2,080 |
| May 2024 | $132,170 | +3.3% | 1,560 |
| May 2025 | $128,820 | -2.5% | 2,120 |
Across the 11 releases WageDex holds for this occupation, the published national median went from $104,100 in May 2015 to $128,820 in May 2025. Within the SOC-2018 classification (2019–2025), the like-for-like change averages +2% per year in nominal terms. Within the same SOC classification, estimated employment went from 2,070 in May 2019 to 2,120 in May 2025.
Each figure is a separate BLS survey estimate, so a change between releases reflects the estimated occupation-wide median in each year. It is not the raise any individual worker received, and it is not adjusted for inflation. Years where BLS did not publish an annual median for this occupation are omitted rather than filled in. This span also crosses a classification change: releases before May 2019 use the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification and later releases use the 2018 SOC, so figures either side of that boundary are not strictly like-for-like. Headline change rates on this page use only the same-classification subset.
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
Lowest Paying States
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
Lowest Paying Metros
View all 1 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,750 | +22% above national |
Same SOC major group
Other detailed occupations in SOC major group 19 (Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations) - category peers, not a pay match.
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
Showing 5 of 47 detailed occupations BLS assigns to this SOC major group.
Nationwide occupations with similar pay or employment scale
Two OEWS peer sets outside this SOC major group (Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations). Same-category cards above stay inside the group; these neighborhoods are cross-group nearest neighbors on national median pay ($128,820 here) and reported employment (2,120 jobs here).
Similar median pay
Nearest other detailed occupations by BLS OEWS national median annual wage.
Similar employment scale
Nearest headcount peers (floor 1,000 national jobs), distinct from the pay column.
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on BLS OEWS national median annual wage and reported employment. Employment peers exclude occupations already listed in the pay column so the two link sets stay distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Astronomers make? ▼
Where does Astronomers pay rank nationally? ▼
What state pays Astronomers the most? ▼
What education do Astronomers need? ▼
Does BLS publish a safety rate for Astronomers? ▼
Is Astronomers a good career? ▼
How does Astronomers pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Astronomers? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Astronomers pay figures in a real decision
- The 75th-percentile wage is about $166,000/year. Treat it as the upper-quartile market boundary, not an automatic target for experience alone; role scope, location, industry, credentials, performance, and employer context still need separate evidence. 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.
Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Occupation wages use BLS OEWS May 2025; outlook uses BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety, skills, knowledge, and task panels identify their BLS or O*NET sources in context. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
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.