Astronomer salary in Virginia
Astronomers in Virginia earn a median of $128,930 a year ($61.99 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $94,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,560 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $128,820. Virginia ranks 3rd of 5 states for astronomers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. The average (mean) salary is $132,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for astronomers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,710 | $45.53 |
| 25th percentile | $110,170 | $52.97 |
| Median | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| 75th percentile | $150,160 | $72.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,560 | $84.40 |
| Average (mean) | $132,650 | $63.77 |
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 | $10,744.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,372.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,958.85 |
| Weekly | $2,479.42 |
| Hourly | $61.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Astronomer salary in cities in Virginia
| 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Chemist | $96,650 | $46.47 |
| Physicist | $145,040 | $69.73 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $83,880 | $40.33 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,390 | $42.49 |
| Materials Scientist | $124,150 | $59.69 |
| Hydrologist | $132,080 | $63.50 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $86,520 | $41.60 |
| Biological Technician | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $86,030 | $41.36 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for astronomers in Virginia is $128,930 a year, or $61.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid astronomers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of astronomers in Virginia earn at least $175,560 a year. The top 25% earn $150,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for astronomers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,710 a year, and a quarter of astronomers earn $110,170 or less.