Astronomer salary in Maryland
Astronomers in Maryland earn a median of $132,620 a year ($63.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 980 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,450 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $128,820. Maryland ranks 1st of 5 states for astronomers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.35 astronomers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 26.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $144,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for astronomers in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| 25th percentile | $102,910 | $49.48 |
| Median | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| 75th percentile | $175,720 | $84.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,450 | $103.10 |
| Average (mean) | $144,760 | $69.60 |
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 | $11,051.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,525.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,100.77 |
| Weekly | $2,550.38 |
| Hourly | $63.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Astronomer salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,750 | 520 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $141,290 | $67.93 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $84,190 | $40.48 |
| Physicist | $174,390 | $83.84 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $128,800 | $61.92 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| Materials Scientist | $112,400 | $54.04 |
| Hydrologist | $143,010 | $68.75 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Biological Technician | $52,900 | $25.44 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $131,810 | $63.37 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $91,820 | $44.14 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for astronomers in Maryland is $132,620 a year, or $63.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid astronomers make in Maryland?
The top 10% of astronomers in Maryland earn at least $214,450 a year. The top 25% earn $175,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for astronomers in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,200 a year, and a quarter of astronomers earn $102,910 or less.
How many astronomers work in Maryland?
About 980 astronomers are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.