Astronomers Salary
The median pay for a astronomers in California is $123,540/year ($59.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $195K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $116,393 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 33.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of California. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $124K get you in California?
About astronomers
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What this looks like in California
Astronomers pay in California tracks closely to the national median, $124K locally vs. $129K nationwide, a 4% difference. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level astronomers (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $124K. Top earners bring in $195K or more, a $119K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track astronomers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a astronomer afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $124K, rent takes 33.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for astronomers in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new astronomers typically earn — is $76K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,561/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 54% 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 California?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $124K locally vs. $129K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does California compare to the national average for astronomers?
California pays $124K median vs. the U.S. average of $129K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $116K — below the national median.
How much do astronomers make in California?
The median is $123,540 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,020, and experienced astronomers can clear $195,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $124K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,297/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 33.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a astronomers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median astronomers salary is worth about $116,393 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.