How much Astronomers Make

BayAreaGiant707 · Guest

I've been looking into becoming an Astronomer and the information I've found on pay makes it look like you will make upwards of 100,000 after a little bit of time. What I'm reading is these forums and others from professional astronomers and other people isn't matching up to this so I donno what to think

Astronomer is #20 on top paying jobs in America (2007)

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/Careers/02/12/cb.big.bucks/index.html

Average Salary of an Astronomer

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_RD14000024.html

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5173

Hi

Not sure of the current status for the professional astronomer market, but here are some tips from someone who has explored many professional occupations.

Be wary of average income figures, especially in a professional occupation where salary ranges vary widely. Look into what a beginning astronomer makes to get a true picture of what to expect.

Also, you need to check on any profession from a supply and demand point of view, especially one that calls for a graduate degree as a minimum. You are going to have to invest heavily in education to become an astronomer, especially in a field where doctorates are common. What are the job prospects at the end of the road?

Lastly, be sure you are good with technology. Most professional astronomy is about crunching numbers and data on a computer and operating sophisitcated electronic equipment. Very few professional astronomers actually sit under a telescope and look through the eyepiece, these days.

Best of luck to you. I can't imagine a finer goal for a career. Astronomy is science at its exploratory best.
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