Explore by Career/Life, Physical, and Social Science
Astronomers
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
- Median pay
- $132,170
- per year
- 10-year outlook
- +2.2%
- Stable
- Typical entry
- Doctoral or professional degree
Key skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Science
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
What they do
- 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.
Majors that lead here
No mapped majors yet.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections) and O*NET, used under CC BY 4.0.