Astronomers Salary
The median pay for a astronomers in Arizona is $129,020/year ($62.03/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $177K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.41), that's roughly $133,824 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,437/month, or 18% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Arizona. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $129K get you in Arizona?
About astronomers
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What this looks like in Arizona
Astronomers pay in Arizona tracks closely to the national median, $129K locally vs. $129K nationwide, a 0% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,437/month, 18% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 96.41) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arizona
Entry-level astronomers (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K. Top earners bring in $177K or more, a $101K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track astronomers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arizona numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a astronomer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arizona?
Yes — at the median salary of $129K, rent takes 18% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,437/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for astronomers in Arizona?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new astronomers typically earn — is $76K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,536/month. At HUD’s $1,437/month FMR, rent would take 32% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is astronomer a high-paying job in Arizona?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $129K locally vs. $129K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does Arizona compare to the national average for astronomers?
Arizona pays $129K median vs. the U.S. average of $129K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 96.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $134K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do astronomers make in Arizona?
The median is $129,020 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,600, and experienced astronomers can clear $177,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Arizona?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,976/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,437/month, which eats 18% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a astronomers salary go in Arizona?
Arizona has a Regional Price Parity of 96.41 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median astronomers salary is worth about $133,824 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do astronomers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.