GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
$104K/yr
Average Salary
8 years
Years of Education
+4%
Job Growth
2K+
Total Jobs
Observe and study celestial objects and phenomena using telescopes. Research and interpret those observations, either to increase basic scientific knowledge or to apply the information to practical problems.
$68K
Starting
$104K
Average
$140K
Senior
High School Diploma or GED
Foundation requirement for all pathways
Doctoral Degree in Physics
Typically 8 years
Start your career
Entry-level positions and internships
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3 credits · English & Writing
$1,703
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CLEP Spanish Language — Level 2
9 credits · World Languages
$5,303
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6 credits · World Languages
$3,503
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12 credits · World Languages
$7,103
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Certification data coming soon
We're still curating the certifications and licenses for this career. In the meantime, check the role's professional association or BLS occupation page (linked above) for current credential requirements.
Field
Science & Research
Required Degree
Doctoral Degree
Time in School
8 years
Job Demand
10-Year Job Growth
+4%
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Create free account →Federal labor-market data for Astronomer
Pay range
$68K–$140K
10th–90th percentile
Job growth
+4%
projected 2024–2034
Number of jobs
2K
in 2024
Slower than average
Below-average demand growth expected. Projected to grow from 2K to 2K jobs by 2034.
Typical duties
Read the full duties, work environment, and education requirements on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Open BLS page →
Direct match. BLS 'Astronomers' (19-2011). Median $132,170. **1,560 jobs — smallest profession in entire database**.