Astronomer Salary
Astronomers earn a median $128,820 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
U.S. median
$128,820
$61.93 per hour
Range
$78,010 – $195,190
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
2,120
across the U.S.
Astronomer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$99,314
per year · effective tax rate 22.9%
$8,276Monthly
$4,138Twice a month
$3,820Every 2 weeks
$47.75Hourly
- Federal income tax$19,651
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,987
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,868
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$99,314
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,010 | $37.50 | $63,710 |
| 25th percentile | $99,920 | $48.04 | $79,124 |
| Median (50th) | $128,820 | $61.93 | $99,314 |
| 75th percentile | $166,000 | $79.81 | $124,727 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $145,341 |
Best cities for astronomers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $156,750 | $108,049 | $99,233 | 520 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Washington, DC — $156,750
Astronomer salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $132,620 | $95,908 | $83,200 – $214,450 | 980 |
| Arizona | $129,020 | $96,434 | $75,600 – $177,020 | 100 |
| Virginia | $128,930 | $92,790 | $94,710 – $175,560 | — |
| California | $123,540 | $86,840 | $76,020 – $195,190 | 110 |
| Hawaii | $102,000 | $74,365 | $71,590 – $139,720 | 100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a astronomer make?
The national median salary for astronomers is $128,820 a year ($61.93 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $78,010 and the top 10% earn over $195,190. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays astronomers the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $132,620. After taxes and local prices, Washington, DC offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many astronomers are there in the U.S.?
About 2,120 people work as astronomers nationwide.