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Astronomer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$128,820median pay per year, or $61.94 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $78,010lowest 10% earn less
  2. $99,92025th percentile
  3. $128,820median
  4. $166,00075th percentile
  5. $195,190top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Astronomers earned a median of $128,820 a year, well above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. The job typically needs a doctoral degree, and it is a small field of about 2,120 wage and salary jobs[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.8%[6]
Openings per year
100[7]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[3]

How much do astronomers make?

The median wage for astronomers was $128,820 a year, or $61.94 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of astronomers earned more and half earned less. The average (mean) was $132,920 a year, or $63.91 an hour[8].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $78,010 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $195,190[5]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $37.50 and the 90th was $93.84[10].

Measure Annual wage Source
10th percentile[5] $78,010
25th percentile[5] $99,920
Median[1] $128,820
75th percentile[5] $166,000
90th percentile[5] $195,190
All occupations, median[2] $50,980

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses that are not tied to production or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11].

Pay by state and city

BLS published astronomer pay for only five states. Among them, Maryland had the highest median at $132,620, and it also had the most jobs at 980[12][13]. Arizona ($129,020), Virginia ($128,930), California ($123,540) and Hawaii ($102,000) followed in that order[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 astronomer jobs, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area had the highest median, $156,750[14]. It also had the most jobs at 520, ahead of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area with 180[15].

Show median pay in 5 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Maryland[12]$132,620980
Arizona$129,020100
Virginia$128,930n/a
California$123,540110
Hawaii$102,000100

How to become an astronomer

The typical entry requirement is a doctoral or professional degree. BLS lists no work experience and no on-the-job training as typical[3]. In an O*NET survey of 23 workers, 65% said a doctoral degree was required, 26% said post-doctoral training and 9% said a master's degree[16].

The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers physicists and astronomers together, so they describe the wider group[17].

Some paths do not require a doctorate. A bachelor's degree in astronomy may qualify a person to work as an assistant at an observatory[22].

The profile lists several useful skills: analytical, communication, critical-thinking, interpersonal and math skills[23][24][25][26][27].

What astronomers do

Astronomers observe and study space and use what they learn to add to basic knowledge or solve practical problems[28]. O*NET lists these tasks[29]:

Where astronomers work

In the profile covering physicists and astronomers, the largest employer group was research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences, at 47% of jobs in 2025[30]. Federal agencies such as NASA and the Department of Defense also employ them[31].

Many astronomers work in offices and visit observatories now and then. Some work full time at an observatory[32]. Observation work may happen at night, but astronomers typically visit observatories only a few times a year[33]. Some also spend time at national or international research facilities and travel to meetings to share results[34].

Full-time work is typical for physicists and astronomers, and some work more than 40 hours a week[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects astronomer employment to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,400 to 2,600 jobs, a gain of about 200[6]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[35]. These counts include self-employed workers[6].

BLS projects about 100 openings a year on average[7]. Openings include jobs that open when people retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[7]. Each year, 1.6% of astronomers leave the labor force and 3.3% move to a different occupation[36].

The field is small, so a few jobs make a large difference in the numbers.

Is it a good fit?

The facts show high pay compared with all occupations, with a median of $128,820 against $50,980[1][2]. They also show a long road in, since a doctoral degree is the typical requirement[3]. Growth is faster than the all-occupations rate, but the openings are few, about 100 a year[6][35][7]. The work involves data analysis, writing and presenting research, and teaching or mentoring[29]. Our facts do not cover the cost of the degrees or how many years they take, so check those before deciding.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an astronomer make an hour?
The median was $61.94 an hour in May 2025 and the average was $63.91[1][8]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37.50 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $93.84[10].
What degree do you need to be an astronomer?
The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree[3]. A bachelor's degree in a physical science or a related field is usually needed to enter a graduate program[18].
Is astronomer a job in demand?
BLS projects 7.8% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[6][35]. It is a small field with about 100 openings a year[7].
What is the highest paying state for astronomers?
Among the five states with published data, Maryland had the highest median, $132,620 a year[12].
How long is a postdoc for astronomers?
People with a Ph.D. who want to be researchers may begin with a postdoctoral position, typically for 2 to 3 years[21]. The source profile covers physicists and astronomers together[17].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Astronomers in the US was $128,820 per year and $61.94 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Astronomers: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 2,120 people were employed as Astronomers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Astronomers: 10th percentile $78,010, 25th percentile $99,920, 75th percentile $166,000, 90th percentile $195,190. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Astronomers is projected to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,400 to 2,600 jobs (a change of +200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 100 openings for Astronomers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Astronomers was $132,920 per year and $63.91 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Astronomers: 10th percentile $37.50, 25th percentile $48.04, 75th percentile $79.81, 90th percentile $93.84. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Astronomers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Astronomers jobs: Maryland 980; California 110; Arizona 100; Hawaii 100. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Astronomers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $156,750. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Astronomers jobs: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 520 (median $156,750); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 180. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 19-2011.00 survey of workers (23 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 65%, Post-Doctoral Training 26%, Master's Degree 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Physicists and Astronomers" covers Astronomers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Astronomers. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Astronomers. O*NET OnLine
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of physicists and astronomers in 2025: Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences 47%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Astronomers: 1.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.