How much does an astronomer make in California?
$123,500a year
Median yearly pay for astronomers in California. That is $59.39 an hour or $10,300 a month.
- Hourly
- $59.39
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 5
- Jobs in the state
- 110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $76,020Median: $123,500Highest 10%: $195,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $76,020 | $36.55 | |
| 25th | $76,020 | $36.55 | |
| Median | $123,500 | $59.39 | |
| 75th | $182,800 | $87.88 | |
| 90th | $195,200 | $93.84 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| No city data for this job. |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for astronomers.
| 1. Maryland | $132,600 |
| 2. Arizona | $129,000 |
| 3. Virginia | $128,900 |
| 4. California | $123,500 |
| 5. Hawaii | $102,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an astronomer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $59.39 ($123,500 a year).
Do astronomers make more in California than the national average?
No: $123,500 against $128,800 nationally, 4% less.
Where does California rank for astronomer pay?
California ranks 4 of 5 states.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.