The average salary for an astronomer in the United States is around $128,160 per year.
Avg Salary
Astronomers earn an average yearly salary of $128,160.
Wages typically start from $61,910.
105% above national average Updated in 2021
Astronomer earnings by seniority
75th percentile
Senior-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$82.93 per hour
$172,490 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$61.62 per hour
$128,160 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$38.51 per hour
$80,110 per year
10th percentile
Starting level astronomer earnings begin at:
$29.76 per hour
$61,910 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 43% more than similar careers in the United States.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Materials scientist salary | $100K |
| Statistician salary | $96K |
| Atmospheric scientist salary | $95K |
| Chemist salary | $79K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)