SOC 19-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Astronomers — Virginia
Virginia
The median wage for Astronomers in Virginia is $128,930 per year, close to the national median of $128,820 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Astronomers in Virginia is $128,930 per year, close to the national median of $128,820 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $110,170 and $150,160. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $94,710 and the ninetieth at $175,560.
Virginia ranks number 3rd out of 5 states by median pay for this occupation. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 64th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $94,710 | −26.5% |
| 25th | $110,170 | −14.5% |
| Median (50th) | $128,930 | +0.1% |
| 75th | $150,160 | +16.6% |
| 90th | $175,560 | +36.3% |
| Mean | $132,650 | +3.0% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $128,930 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$128,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$127,527US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $128,930 a year, 0.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $94,710 to $175,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 3rd of 5 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Astronomers in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $128,930, or $61.99 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $128,820, so pay in Virginia is 0.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Virginia earns more than $175,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $94,710 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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