Astronomers pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for astronomers is $61.94 an hour ($128,820 a year). About 2,120 people work in this job there.
Pay range for astronomers in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $37.50 | $78,010 |
| 25% of workers | $48.04 | $99,920 |
| Half of workers (median) | $61.94 | $128,820 |
| 75% of workers | $79.81 | $166,000 |
| 90% of workers | $93.84 | $195,190 |
Best-paying states for astronomers
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $132,620 | 980 |
| Arizona | $129,020 | 100 |
| Virginia | $128,930 | 0 |
| California | $123,540 | 110 |
| Hawaii | $102,000 | 100 |
Pay by state
- Maryland · $132,620
Education, experience and outlook for astronomers
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Job outlook: +7.8% over ten years, faster than average · about 100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $91,240 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $101,920 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $122,570 |
| Physicists | $172,250 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $99,070 |
| Materials Scientists | $117,790 |
| Hydrologists | $96,600 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: 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. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.