Occupation · SOC 19-2011
Astronomers
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Median wage
$132,170
$70,730–$191,880
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
1,560
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
70 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionScienceCritical ThinkingWritingMathematicsSpeakingActive LearningActive Listening
Knowledge areas
PhysicsMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageEducation and Training
Technology & tools
Development environment softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareData base management system softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareObject or component oriented development software
Representative 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 scientificWrite and review scientific proposals and research papers.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Astronomical datasets — analyze using established computational pipelines and scientific software under faculty or senior astronomer guidance.Ground-based and space-borne telescope observations — execute according to approved observing protocols within a supervised research program.Scientific literature — read and synthesize peer-reviewed papers to support an ongoing research project in a university or observatory setting.Research findings — present in structured formats at internal group meetings or departmental seminars under the direction of a supervising astronomer.Mathematical and statistical methods — apply to reduce and interpret observational data within a defined research task assigned by a principal investigator.Astronomical databases and archival data repositories — query and retrieve relevant datasets following documented procedures in a research computing environment.Data visualization tools and graphics software — produce plots and figures that accurately represent celestial measurements for inclusion in progress reports.Collaborative research tasks — contribute to team projects by completing assigned sub-tasks and communicating results clearly to senior collaborators.Physical and mathematical principles — apply foundational knowledge of physics and astrophysics to interpret observed celestial phenomena within supervised coursework or a thesis project.Laboratory and computing safety protocols — follow consistently while operating observatory equipment and high-performance computing systems in a research facility.
developing
Observational data from multiple telescope platforms — analyze independently using scientific and development environment software to identify statistically significant astrophysical signals.Celestial phenomena investigations — design and execute observing programs using ground-based and space-borne instruments with reduced oversight in a professional research setting.Journal manuscripts and conference papers — draft and revise to communicate research findings to the broader astronomical community with limited editorial guidance.Scientific conference presentations — deliver oral or poster presentations of original research findings to specialist audiences at national or international meetings.Theoretical models of celestial systems — develop and refine based on personal observations and published literature, situating conclusions within the current state of the field.Graduate student researchers — assist in day-to-day supervision of data collection and analysis tasks within an observatory or university research group.Collaborative multi-investigator projects — coordinate assigned contributions, manage shared datasets, and integrate results into cohesive research outputs.Astronomy or astrophysics course content — teach introductory or intermediate topics in a university classroom, adapting instructional strategies to student learning needs.Complex problem-solving approaches — select and justify appropriate analytical or computational methods when addressing non-routine observational anomalies in a research program.Research proposals for internal funding or telescope time allocation — prepare with clearly defined scientific objectives and feasibility assessments under senior review.
proficient
Large-scale astronomical datasets — independently design and execute end-to-end computational analyses, drawing significant scientific conclusions for peer-reviewed publication.Original astrophysical theories — develop from synthesis of personal observational results and broader disciplinary literature, advancing understanding of celestial phenomena in a research institution.Full observing campaigns across ground-based and space-borne telescope networks — plan, coordinate, and execute autonomously, adapting methods when non-routine instrumental or environmental conditions arise.Peer-reviewed research articles — author and submit to high-impact scientific journals, responding to reviewer critiques with rigorous scientific and rhetorical precision.Graduate student thesis research — supervise comprehensively from project design through dissertation defense, ensuring scientific rigor and professional development in a university department.Multi-institutional collaborative research projects — lead scientific coordination, align team contributions to shared objectives, and arbitrate methodological decisions across partner organizations.External grant proposals to federal agencies or foundations — develop with full scientific justification, broader impact narratives, and detailed technical approaches as principal investigator.Emerging computational and instrumentation technologies — evaluate, adopt, and integrate into active research workflows to maintain methodological currency in a rapidly evolving field.Astronomy or astrophysics graduate courses — design curricula and deliver instruction that bridges foundational theory with frontier research in a doctoral-granting program.Cross-disciplinary research problems — apply astronomical expertise in collaboration with physicists, engineers, and data scientists to address complex questions that span traditional domain boundaries.
advanced
Institutional research strategy and long-range scientific agenda — define and champion for an observatory, research center, or university astronomy department at the organizational level.Major telescope facility or space mission programs — provide scientific leadership to shape instrument design requirements, observational priorities, and data-access policies at a programmatic scale.Flagship peer-reviewed publications and review articles — author to synthesize decades of research and set the conceptual framework for future inquiry across the astronomical community.Junior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students — mentor systematically through sponsorship, feedback, and professional networking to build the next generation of astronomical scientists.Large interdisciplinary research consortia or national collaborations — lead governance, resource allocation, and scientific prioritization across dozens of investigators and institutions.High-stakes funding portfolios — secure and steward multi-year, multi-million-dollar grants from federal agencies, shaping the financial and scientific trajectory of a research program.Decadal survey panels and scientific advisory boards — contribute expert judgment to national priority-setting processes that determine observatory investments and mission portfolios for the field.Graduate and postdoctoral training programs — design and implement at institutional scale, embedding inclusive pedagogical and mentorship frameworks that advance workforce diversity.Transformative astrophysical theories or discoveries — communicate to scientific and public audiences through keynote addresses, media engagements, and policy testimony, translating complex findings into broad impact.Organizational culture of scientific excellence, ethical practice, and innovation — model and cultivate across a department or research enterprise, setting norms that govern conduct and collaboration.
Also known as
19 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Radio AstronomerPostdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc Research Associate)CosmologistHigh-Energy AstrophysicistAstronomerPostdoctoral Scholar (Postdoc Scholar)Research AstrophysicistGalactic AstronomerPlanetary AstronomerTheoretical AstronomerExtragalactic AstronomerAstrophysicistInstitute ScientistSolar AstronomerStellar AstronomerPostdoctoral Associate (Postdoc Associate)Astronomy Outreach CoordinatorPostdoc Scientist (Postdoctoral Scientist)Optical Astronomer