Astronomer salary
From 214 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 19-2011: Astronomers
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 78% of Astronomer filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Top filer: National Radio Astronomy Observatory. 16 filings (7% of the total), median $83,491.
- Median up 7% since FY2020. From $77,480 in FY2020 to $83,262 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Astronomer H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 214 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Astronomer jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 19-2011, Astronomers). The median base salary is $83,496, 32% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $73,617 and $102,413. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 78% of filings. Baltimore, MD has the most filings (21), and National Radio Astronomy Observatory is the employer that files the most (16).
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Enter the base salary in your offer. We compare it with certified H-1B filings for Astronomer jobs, nationally or in one metro area.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Top employers for Astronomer
Employers with the most Astronomer filings. Bar: share of all Astronomer filings. Figure: median base salary.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 78% of filings
Mid-level · 22% of filings
Senior · 0% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $77,962 | 138 |
| Level II · Qualified | $90,015 | 39 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Astronomer pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 6 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | $103,672 | 21 |
| Boulder, CO | $95,000 | 21 |
| Boston, MA | $97,257 | 14 |
| Chicago, IL | $81,499 | 14 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $84,530 | 14 |
| Washington, DC | $86,875 | 12 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Astronomer does
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Typical tasks
- 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.
Preparation
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
O*NET occupation: Astronomers (19-2011.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Astronomers), the median annual wage was $128,820 in May 2025, with 2,120 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $83,496, 35% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $66,301 | $78,010 |
| 25th percentile | $73,617 | $99,920 |
| Median | $83,496 | $128,820 |
| 75th percentile | $102,413 | $166,000 |
| 90th percentile | $119,807 | $195,190 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $66,301 |
| 25th | $73,617 |
| 50th (median) | $83,496 |
| 75th | $102,413 |
| 90th | $119,807 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $77,480 | $68,991 | $94,374 | 129 |
| FY2021 | $76,918 | $67,255 | $85,000 | 111 |
| FY2022 | $81,474 | $69,996 | $96,932 | 127 |
| FY2023 | $80,328 | $72,025 | $95,361 | 114 |
| FY2024 | $81,452 | $72,400 | $97,989 | 100 |
| FY2025 | $84,571 | $75,000 | $103,250 | 134 |
| FY2026 | $83,262 | $73,157 | $101,388 | 80 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Astronomer make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Astronomer jobs is $83,496 (214 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $73,617 and $102,413.
What does an entry-level Astronomer earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $77,962. Level I accounts for 78% of Astronomer filings.
Which employers file the most H-1B applications for Astronomers?
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (16), University of Colorado (16) and Aura/Space Telescope Science Institute (12) filed the most Astronomer LCAs in FY2025–FY2026.
Do H-1B Astronomers earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($83,496) is 35% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($128,820, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.