The average salary for an astronomer in the United States is around $128,820 per year.
Avg Salary
Astronomers earn an average yearly salary of $128,820.
Wages typically start from $78,010 and go up to $195,190.
93% above national average Updated in 2025
Astronomer earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$93.84 per hour
$195,190 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$79.81 per hour
$166,000 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$61.94 per hour
$128,820 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level astronomer earnings begin at:
$48.04 per hour
$99,920 per year
10th percentile
Starting level astronomer earnings begin at:
$37.50 per hour
$78,010 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Astronomer salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $75,380 |
| Maryland | $132,620 |
| Arizona | $129,020 |
| Virginia | $128,930 |
| Colorado | $128,160 |
| District of Columbia | $126,060 |
| California | $123,540 |
| Massachusetts | $123,110 |
| Texas | $105,110 |
| Hawaii | $102,000 |
How do astronomer salaries compare to similar careers?
Astronomers earn 19% more than similar careers in the United States.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Materials scientist salary | $118K |
| Statistician salary | $106K |
| Atmospheric scientist salary | $99K |
| Chemist salary | $91K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)