How much do astronomers make?

Astronomers earned a median salary of $96,460 in 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There is considerable variation in salary, however; the top 10 percent of astronomers by salary earned more than $165,300, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $51,270.

The salary of astronomers varies depending on the industry in which they are employed. Astronomers employed by the federal government earn a median wage of $139,140, while those employed by colleges, universities and professional schools earn a median wage of $77,870. Astronomers are a class of scientists who specialize in studying celestial bodies. They are typically strongly grounded in physics.