Astronomer
: Job Details :

Occupation Description: Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.

Life As an Astronomer

• Serve on professional panels and committees.
• Calculate orbits and determine sizes, shapes, brightness, and motions of different celestial bodies.
• Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
• Review scientific proposals and research papers.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
• Develop and modify astronomy-related programs for public presentation.

What Every Astronomer Should Know

These are the skills Astronomers say are the most useful in their careers:

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.

Types of Astronomer

• Professor
• Space Sciences Director
• Physics and Astronomy Professor
• Institute Scientist

Job Opportunities for Astronomers

There were about 2,000 jobs for Astronomers in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10%, which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Astronomers by 2026. There will be an estimated 200 positions for Astronomers per year.

The states with the most job growth for Astronomers are Arizona, Washington, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Hawaii, Maryland, or Texas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does an Astronomer Make?

The average yearly salary of an Astronomer ranges between $57,490 and $165,770.

Astronomers who work in District of Columbia, California, or Hawaii make the highest salaries.

What Tools & Technology do Astronomers Use?

Although they're not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Astronomers:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Python
• The MathWorks MATLAB
• SAS
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• R
• National Instruments LabVIEW
• Apache Hadoop
• FORTRAN
• C++
• Visual Numerics PV-WAVE

How to Become an Astronomer

Learn what Astronomer education requirements there are.

Where Astronomers Are Employed

The table below shows the approximate number of Astronomers employed by various industries.

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