Astronomer salary in the U.S.
Astronomers in the U.S. earn a median of $128,820 a year ($61.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $132,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for astronomers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,010 | $37.50 |
| 25th percentile | $99,920 | $48.04 |
| Median | $128,820 | $61.94 |
| 75th percentile | $166,000 | $79.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $132,920 | $63.91 |
Half of astronomers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,735 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,367.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,954.62 |
| Weekly | $2,477.31 |
| Hourly | $61.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Astronomer salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $132,620 | 980 |
| Arizona | $129,020 | 100 |
| Virginia | $128,930 | n/a |
| California | $123,540 | 110 |
| Hawaii | $102,000 | 100 |
Best-paying metro areas for astronomers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,750 | 520 |
Metro areas with the most astronomers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 520 | $156,750 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Chemist | $91,240 | $43.87 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $122,570 | $58.93 |
| Physicist | $172,250 | $82.81 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Materials Scientist | $117,790 | $56.63 |
| Hydrologist | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,150 | $43.34 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $100,580 | $48.36 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | $46.15 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a astronomer make in the U.S.?
The median salary for astronomers in the U.S. is $128,820 a year, or $61.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid astronomers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of astronomers in the U.S. earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $166,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for astronomers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,010 a year, and a quarter of astronomers earn $99,920 or less.
How many astronomers work in the U.S.?
About 2,120 astronomers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.