The average salary for an astronomer in California is around $150,530 per year.
Avg Salary
Astronomers earn an average  yearly salary of $150,530. 
Wages typically start from $80,050.
126% above national average Updated in 2021
Astronomer earnings by seniority
75th percentile
Senior-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$91.32 per hour
$189,950 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$72.37 per hour
$150,530 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$49.16 per hour
$102,260 per year
10th percentile
Starting level astronomer earnings begin at:
$38.49 per hour
$80,050 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Astronomer salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary | 
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $75,380 | 
| Hawaii | $181,950 | 
| California | $150,530 | 
| Maryland | $134,760 | 
| Colorado | $128,160 | 
| District of Columbia | $126,060 | 
| Massachusetts | $123,110 | 
| Texas | $105,110 | 
| Arizona | $103,850 | 
How do astronomer salaries compare to similar careers?
Astronomers earn 61% more than similar careers in California.
| Career | Median Salary | 
|---|---|
| Atmospheric scientist salary | $115K | 
| Statistician salary | $102K | 
| Materials scientist salary | $100K | 
| Climate change analyst salary | $89K | 
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)



