How much does an Astronomer make?
Astronomers in the United States bring home a median salary of $128,820 a year, or around $61.93 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $78,010, while the top 10% earn $195,190.
That is $67,430 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Astronomer salary range by percentile
Half of all Astronomers earn between $99,920 and $166,000 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,010 | $37.50 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $99,920 | $48.04 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $128,820 | $61.93 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $166,000 | $79.81 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
Highest-paying states for Astronomer
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Maryland leads the country for Astronomer pay at $132,620 a year, followed by Arizona ($129,020) and Virginia ($128,930). At the other end, Hawaii posts the lowest median at $102,000 — a gap of $30,620 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $132,620 | $63.76 | +3% |
| 2 | Arizona | $129,020 | $62.03 | +0% |
| 3 | Virginia | $128,930 | $61.99 | +0% |
| 4 | California | $123,540 | $59.39 | -4% |
| 5 | Hawaii | $102,000 | $49.04 | -21% |
Astronomer salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 5 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 2,000 people work as Astronomers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $132,920 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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Related salaries
Other science roles with similar pay.