Astronomers
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Also called: Astronomer · Astronomy Outreach Coordinator · Astrophysicist · Research Astrophysicist
Median pay (national)
$132,170
$70,730–$191,880 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
1,560
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+2.2%
~100 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for astronomers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $191,880 versus $70,730 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $132,170 leaves roughly 45% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +2.2% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 6 states with released data, Massachusetts pays the most for this role (median $189,430, +43% vs the national median), while Hawaii sits lowest at $103,000 — a 84% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Science, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags C, C++, Python, The MathWorks MATLAB as in-demand technologies for this role.
Tailor your resume to Astronomers
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Astronomers
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Science
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
- Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
- Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena.
- Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
- Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
- Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
- Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
Tools & technology
- C
- C++
- Python
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Apache Hadoop
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Linux
- Oracle Java
- R
- SAS
- Structured query language SQL
- Abstraction plus reference plus synthesis A++
- Adaptive optics AO simulation software
- Analyze
- Astronomical Image Processing for Windows AIP4WIN
- Astronomical Image Processing System AIPS
Knowledge areas
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Communications and Media