Astronomers Salary
The median pay for a astronomers in Hawaii is $102,000/year ($49.04/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $140K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.17), so that salary is closer to $92,584 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,240/month, about 35.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Hawaii. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $102K get you in Hawaii?
About astronomers
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What this looks like in Hawaii
Pay for astronomers in Hawaii runs about 21% below the U.S. median of $129K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,240/month, which is 37% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 10% above the national average (BEA RPP 110.17), so groceries and services cost more too. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for astronomerss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hawaii
Entry-level astronomers (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K. Top earners bring in $140K or more, a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track astronomers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hawaii numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a astronomer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Hawaii?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $102K, rent takes 37% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,240/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for astronomers in Hawaii?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new astronomers typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,295/month. At HUD’s $2,240/month FMR, rent would take 52% 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 Hawaii?
Local pay runs 21% below the national median — $102K here vs. $129K nationally.
How does Hawaii compare to the national average for astronomers?
Hawaii pays $102K median vs. the U.S. average of $129K — that’s -21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 110.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — below the national median.
How much do astronomers make in Hawaii?
The median is $102,000 a year, that works out to about $49 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,590, and experienced astronomers can clear $139,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in Hawaii?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,055/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,240/month, which eats 37% 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 Hawaii?
Hawaii has a Regional Price Parity of 110.17 (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 $92,584 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.