Science
Astronomers
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Median salary (BLS)
$128,820
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$78k – $195k
Job outlook
+2% (about average)
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $119,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Astronomers
Education
Typical entry: Master's degree
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Astronomers Intern
Internship
$39,005
~4 mos to advance
Junior Astronomers
Entry / Junior
$78,010
~2 yrs to advance
Astronomers
Established
$128,820
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Astronomers
Senior
$162,005
Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Science
Explore all- Massachusetts Institute of Technology4% admit · $124,000 grad pay
- California Institute of Technology3% admit · $112,000 grad pay
- Harvard University4% admit · $119,000 grad pay
- Stanford University4% admit · $122,000 grad pay
- University of California, Berkeley11% admit · $97,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.