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BLSSalary

Astronomers Salary (2025)

Based on 2,120 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025

Official BLS Data
Annual Mean
$132,920
$63.91/hr
Annual Median
$128,820
$61.94/hr
Bottom 10%
$78,010
$37.50/hr
Top 10%
$195,190
$93.84/hr

Salary Percentile Breakdown

PercentileAnnual
10th Percentile
Bottom 10%
$78,010
25th Percentile
Lower quarter
$99,920
50th PercentileMedian
Median
$128,820
75th Percentile
Upper quarter
$166,000
90th Percentile
Top 10%
$195,190

Salary Distribution

Annual Salary Range

10th

$78K

25th

$100K

Median

$129K

75th

$166K

90th

$195K

Highest Paying States for Astronomers

States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025

StateAnnual Mean
Maryland$144,760
Virginia$132,650
California$128,340
Arizona$127,790
Hawaii$102,140

Geographic Salary Variation

Astronomers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Maryland at an average of $144,760 per year, while Hawaii has an average of $102,140 — a difference of $42,620. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.

About Astronomers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2,120 workers were employed as Astronomerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. The annual mean wage of $132,920 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 19-2011

What do these percentiles mean? The 10th percentile ($78,010) represents entry-level or part-time Astronomerss, while the 90th percentile ($195,190) represents highly experienced professionals or those in high-demand locations. The median ($128,820) is the midpoint — half of all Astronomerss earn more and half earn less than this amount.
Data sourced from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025. Public domain. Not affiliated with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.