Astronomer Salary in Maryland (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Astronomers in Maryland, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Maryland Median
$132,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$63.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $128,820
State Rank
#1 of 5
980 employed here

How much does an Astronomer make in Maryland?

An Astronomer working in Maryland earns a median salary of $132,620 per year, or about $63.76 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $128,820 for this occupation.

Within Maryland, entry-level pay starts around $83,200 while the top 10% make $214,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $102,910 and $175,720 a year.

Astronomer salary range in Maryland

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$83,200$40.00
25th percentile (early career)$102,910$49.48
50th percentile (median)$132,620$63.76
75th percentile (experienced)$175,720$84.48
90th percentile (top earners)$214,450$103.10

How Maryland compares

Maryland ranks 1st out of 5 states and territories for Astronomer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$132,620
2Arizona$129,020
3Virginia$128,930
4California$123,540
5Hawaii$102,000

Working as an Astronomer in Maryland

Nationally, about 2,000 people work as Astronomers in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.

Considering a move? Compare Maryland pay ($132,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Astronomer make in Maryland?
The median Astronomer salary in Maryland is $132,620 per year, or about $63.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,200 at the entry level to $214,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maryland pay compare to the national average?
Maryland pays Astronomers about 3% more than the national median of $128,820. Maryland ranks 1st out of 5 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maryland a good state for Astronomers?
Yes on pay — Maryland pays above the national median for this occupation, at $132,620 a year. About 980 Astronomers are employed in Maryland. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Maryland?
The highest-paying occupations in Maryland include Radiologist ($581,510), Emergency Medicine Physician ($451,620), Dermatologist ($442,210), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Astronomer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.