Astronomers

Bright outlookJob zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 19-2011.00

Pay and outlook shown for

median pay per year, United States (no San Antonio figure is published for this career)

$78k10th$129kMedian$195k90th

New workers start near $78,010; experienced workers reach $195,190. About 2,120 people do this job in United States.

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

Typical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree

4 programs, with the college that teaches each.

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.

Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
Raise funds for scientific research.

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

Six questions rank every career here by how closely its interest profile follows yours.