Astronomer salary in California
Astronomers in California earn a median of $123,540 a year ($59.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $128,820. California ranks 4th of 5 states for astronomers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 astronomers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $128,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for astronomers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| 25th percentile | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| Median | $123,540 | $59.39 |
| 75th percentile | $182,780 | $87.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $128,340 | $61.70 |
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 | $10,295 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,147.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,751.54 |
| Weekly | $2,375.77 |
| Hourly | $59.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for astronomers
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Chemist | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Physicist | $207,490 | $99.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $130,610 | $62.79 |
| Materials Scientist | $177,030 | $85.11 |
| Hydrologist | $122,110 | $58.71 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $124,920 | $60.06 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for astronomers in California is $123,540 a year, or $59.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid astronomers make in California?
The top 10% of astronomers in California earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $182,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for astronomers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,020 a year, and a quarter of astronomers earn $76,020 or less.
How many astronomers work in California?
About 110 astronomers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.