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Occupation · SOC 19-2011

Astronomers

There are 2,120 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $128,820 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

ScienceTypical education: Doctoral or professional degree
2,120
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$128,820
Median pay a year
Middle half: $99,920–$166,000
100
Annual openings
10-year change: +7.8%
153
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+18.6% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

2 of 2 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $156,750 · LCA filings 9520$156,7509
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 12180n/a12

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 520 · LCA filings 9$156,7505209

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 180124180
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 52093520

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $131,394 · Level III $153,546 · Level IV $175,698$109,242$131,394$153,546$175,698
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $107,286 · Level III $132,787 · Level IV $158,309$81,765$107,286$132,787$158,309

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Astronomy and AstrophysicsCIP 40.02 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months205STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Physics and AstronomyCIP 40.11 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months13STEM OPT · up to 36 months
PhysicsCIP 40.08 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months2,685STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Astronomers in every metro area

All 2 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology