The average salary for an astronomer in the United States is around $116,860 per year.
Avg Salary
Astronomers earn an average yearly salary of $116,860.
Wages typically start from $51,611 and go up to $264,599.
117% above national average Updated in 2023
Astronomer earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$127.21 per hour
$264,599 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$86.38 per hour
$179,665 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$56.18 per hour
$116,860 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$36.54 per hour
$76,009 per year
10th percentile
Starting level astronomer earnings begin at:
$24.81 per hour
$51,611 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 47% more than similar careers in the United States.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Statistician salary | $101K |
| Atmospheric scientist salary | $90K |
| Materials scientist salary | $91K |
| Climate change analyst salary | $73K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)