Astronomer salary in Arizona
Astronomers in Arizona earn a median of $129,020 a year ($62.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,020 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $128,820. Arizona ranks 2nd of 5 states for astronomers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.03 astronomers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $127,790, close to the median.
Pay range for astronomers in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,600 | $36.35 |
| 25th percentile | $98,430 | $47.32 |
| Median | $129,020 | $62.03 |
| 75th percentile | $163,020 | $78.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,020 | $85.11 |
| Average (mean) | $127,790 | $61.44 |
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 | $10,751.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,375.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,962.31 |
| Weekly | $2,481.15 |
| Hourly | $62.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for astronomers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $132,620 |
| Arizona | $129,020 |
| Virginia | $128,930 |
| California | $123,540 |
| Hawaii | $102,000 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Chemist | $81,730 | $39.29 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $85,190 | $40.96 |
| Hydrologist | $86,700 | $41.68 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $125,270 | $60.23 |
| Physicist | $130,500 | $62.74 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $115,020 | $55.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $116,820 | $56.16 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,660 | $27.24 |
| School Psychologist | $92,380 | $44.42 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,250 | $30.41 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for astronomers in Arizona is $129,020 a year, or $62.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid astronomers make in Arizona?
The top 10% of astronomers in Arizona earn at least $177,020 a year. The top 25% earn $163,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for astronomers in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,600 a year, and a quarter of astronomers earn $98,430 or less.
How many astronomers work in Arizona?
About 100 astronomers are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.