Astronomers
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Studies celestial phenomena with ground-based and space-borne telescopes and other scientific instruments, then uses computers to decide what the measurements actually show. Some of that work aims at basic knowledge; some applies the same findings to practical problems. Theories are built from personal observations and from other astronomers' results, then shared at conferences and in journal papers. Many roles also include teaching astronomy or astrophysics and guiding graduate students or junior colleagues through their research. Suits people who like long, careful interpretation of numerical data and explaining abstract results in writing and in the classroom.
Typical education: Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D.)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$128'820
Median Wage Market Position
$128'820
What you might do
- Study the sky with ground and space telescopes
- Use computers to analyze astronomical research data
- Build theories from your own and others' observations
- Present findings in papers and at conferences
- Work with other astronomers on shared projects
- Teach astronomy and mentor graduate students
Skills that matter
- Observing celestial phenomena with telescopes
- Analyzing research data on computers
- Forming theories from observations
- Presenting findings in journals and talks
- Teaching astronomy or astrophysics
- Mentoring students' astronomical research
AI & the future of this role
Much of the work involves mining telescope and survey data on screen, where models may take over routine reduction and pattern finding. Novel questions, instrument strategy, and careful interpretation of ambiguous signals still require human judgment.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details