Astronomers — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$128,820
United States, 2025
Employment
2,120
United States, 2025
Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Job Zone 5
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
- O*NET code
- 19-2011.00
- Job zone
- 5
- Experience required
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Typical tasks
- 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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$78,010
25th percentile
$99,920
75th percentile
$166,000
90th percentile
$195,190
Most important skills
- Science4.3
- Reading Comprehension4.3
- Writing4.1
- Mathematics4.1
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Speaking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Learning Strategies3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Complex Problem Solving3.5
- Monitoring3.4
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 19 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
19
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science | 4.3 | 5.1 | Not selected | 5.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.3 | 5.1 | Not selected | 5.1 |
| Writing | 4.1 | 5.0 | Not selected | 5.0 |
| Mathematics | 4.1 | 5.0 | Not selected | 5.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Speaking | 4.0 | 4.8 | Not selected | 4.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.8 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.5 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Instructing | 3.0 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
Related careers
Supplemental
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Compare with AstronomersSupplemental
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Compare with AstronomersSupplemental
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Compare with AstronomersSupplemental
National median $140,300
Compare with AstronomersHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $156,750 | 520 | 2025 |
| MD | $132,620 | 980 | 2025 |
| AZ | $129,020 | 100 | 2025 |
| VA | $128,930 | — | 2025 |
| CA | $123,540 | 110 | 2025 |
| HI | $102,000 | 100 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Astronomers to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.