Astronomer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Astronomers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $156,750 a year ($75.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $105,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $128,820. Pay here is 22% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $128,930. There are 0.17 astronomers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 12.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $153,770, close to the median.
Pay range for astronomers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,870 | $50.90 |
| 25th percentile | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Median | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| 75th percentile | $189,950 | $91.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $153,770 | $73.93 |
Half of astronomers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,028.85 |
| Weekly | $3,014.42 |
| Hourly | $75.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $156,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for astronomers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $132,620 |
| Arizona | $129,020 |
| Virginia | $128,930 |
| California | $123,540 |
| Hawaii | $102,000 |
See Astronomer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $170,980 | $82.20 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| Chemist | $144,680 | $69.56 |
| Physicist | $171,580 | $82.49 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $117,600 | $56.54 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,490 | $61.29 |
| Hydrologist | $152,730 | $73.43 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a astronomer make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for astronomers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $156,750 a year, or $75.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $105,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid astronomers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of astronomers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $189,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for astronomers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $105,870 a year, and a quarter of astronomers earn $128,610 or less.
How many astronomers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 520 astronomers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.