Astronomers Salary
The median pay for a astronomers in Virginia is $128,930/year ($61.99/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $95K at the entry level to $176K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $136,016 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 21% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Virginia. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $129K get you in Virginia?
About astronomers
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What this looks like in Virginia
Astronomers pay in Virginia 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 $1,646/month, 21.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level astronomers (10th percentile) start around $95K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K. Top earners bring in $176K or more, a $81K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track astronomers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a astronomer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $129K, rent takes 21.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for astronomers in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new astronomers typically earn — is $95K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,683/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 29% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is astronomer a high-paying job in Virginia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $129K locally vs. $129K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for astronomers?
Virginia pays $129K median vs. the U.S. average of $129K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $136K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do astronomers make in Virginia?
The median is $128,930 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $94,710, and experienced astronomers can clear $175,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,665/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 21.5% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $136,016 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.