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Astronomers Salary in Washington, DC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Astronomers in Washington, DC have a median annual salary of $156,750, with 520 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $105,870 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$156,750

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$75.36

Employment

520

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$105,870
10th
$128,610
25th
$156,750
Median
$189,950
75th
$195,190
90th

Local compared with national

Washington, DC

$156,750

Median annual · 2025

United States

$128,820

Median annual · 2025

The Washington, DC median is 21.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $27,930).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.3
  2. 2.ScienceImportance 4.3
  3. 3.WritingImportance 4.1
  4. 4.MathematicsImportance 4.1
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.1
  6. 6.Active ListeningImportance 4.0
  7. 7.SpeakingImportance 4.0
  8. 8.Active LearningImportance 4.0
  9. 9.Learning StrategiesImportance 3.8
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.6
  11. 11.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.5
  12. 12.MonitoringImportance 3.4

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
5

Technology used

  • Abstraction plus reference plus synthesis A++
  • Adaptive optics AO simulation software
  • Analyze
  • Apache Hadoop
  • Astronomical Image Processing for Windows AIP4WIN
  • Astronomical Image Processing System AIPS
  • Astronomical information processing system AIPS++
  • Avis Fits Viewer
  • C
  • C++
  • Data reduction software
  • Diffraction Limited MaxIm DL
  • European Southern Observatory Munich Image Data Analysis System ESO-MIDAS
  • Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
  • Fortran

Common 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.
  • Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
  • Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Astronomers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Washington, DC