What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Astronomers in the U.S. earn more than $128,820 a year — the middle 80% land between $78,010 and $195,190. About 2,120 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Astronomers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$128,820typical pay / year
2,120people in this work
$195,190+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Learning3
Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
+Draft a semester course plan on cosmology covering the Friedmann equations, CMB physics, structure formation,…
Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
+Draft a semester course plan on cosmology covering the Friedmann equations, CMB physics, structure formation, and observational tests, include weekly problem sets with computational projects and three exam dates tied to the department term schedule.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Present research at conferences
+Present my latest cosmic background and dark-matter constraints at the Royal Astronomical Conference next…
Present research at conferences
+Present my latest cosmic background and dark-matter constraints at the Royal Astronomical Conference next Thursday: prepare a 12‑minute talk with clear plots, one slide for methodology, one slide for results, a slide of uncertainties, and a one‑page handout for chairs.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Work with space engineers and data analysts
+Coordinate with the JPL systems engineer and the pipeline data analyst to define the next-week deliverables:…
Work with space engineers and data analysts
+Coordinate with the JPL systems engineer and the pipeline data analyst to define the next-week deliverables: list required telemetry, three calibration checks, the data formats they will deliver, and how I will validate cosmology-ready catalogs.
The tools that do the workPythonStructured query language SQLESCOjob descriptions
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Analysing1
Study the formation of galaxies
+Outline a research proposal to probe galaxy formation with dark-matter halo merger histories: state…
Study the formation of galaxies
+Outline a research proposal to probe galaxy formation with dark-matter halo merger histories: state hypotheses, required datasets, planned statistical tests, computational resources, and milestones for a twelve-month grant application.
The tools that do the workPythonjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work16
Perform theoretical research
+Work through the derivation of the perturbation equations for scalar modes in a flat ΛCDM background, test…
Perform theoretical research
+Work through the derivation of the perturbation equations for scalar modes in a flat ΛCDM background, test assumptions about initial conditions, and produce a one‑page note with equations, key approximations, and next analytic steps by Thursday noon.
The tools that do the workPythonjob descriptions
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Conduct observational research
+Plan and execute tonight's observing run: target the z≈6 quasar field, record two hours of calibrated…
Conduct observational research
+Plan and execute tonight's observing run: target the z≈6 quasar field, record two hours of calibrated exposures, log weather and seeing, and upload raw frames and observing log to the group archive before 07:00 so the analysis pipeline can start.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions
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Create computer models of space phenomena
+Build and validate a 3D hydrodynamic toy model of the galaxy cluster merger: implement the initial mass…
Create computer models of space phenomena
+Build and validate a 3D hydrodynamic toy model of the galaxy cluster merger: implement the initial mass profiles, run a parameter sweep for impact parameter and mass ratio until simulated X‑ray maps match the observed morphology, and save the suite of runs with metadata.
The tools that do the workC++Pythonjob descriptions
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Develop software to interpret satellite data
+Design and write the processing module that ingests the satellite's calibrated detector timelines, removes…
Develop software to interpret satellite data
+Design and write the processing module that ingests the satellite's calibrated detector timelines, removes known systematics, fits the instrument response, and outputs time‑ordered data and a QA report so the pipeline can produce maps next week.
The tools that do the workPythonC++job descriptions
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Publish research articles
+Draft the methods and results sections for the cluster lensing paper: include lens model equations, data…
Publish research articles
+Draft the methods and results sections for the cluster lensing paper: include lens model equations, data selection, error budget table, and two figures, circulate a complete draft to Maria and James for comments by Monday midday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Collect electromagnetic radiation, gravitational waves, or particles from celestial objects
+Schedule the array for the next run to capture radio and optical counterparts, configure receivers to record…
Collect electromagnetic radiation, gravitational waves, or particles from celestial objects
+Schedule the array for the next run to capture radio and optical counterparts, configure receivers to record broadband electromagnetic spectra and trigger the gravitational‑wave followup mode when SNR exceeds threshold, and store all tagged events in the event database.
The tools that do the workLinuxWikipedia
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Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
+Assess the latest survey and telescope output, run the statistical tests that quantify detection…
Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
+Assess the latest survey and telescope output, run the statistical tests that quantify detection significance, produce a short methods-and-results note with figures, and flag any anomalies needing re-observation by Monday.
The tools that do the workPythonO*NET
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Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
+Review each student's draft analysis and code this week, give focused written comments on their hypothesis…
Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
+Review each student's draft analysis and code this week, give focused written comments on their hypothesis tests and error budgets, schedule one-hour follow-ups to set measurable milestones for thesis chapters.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordPythonO*NET
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Raise funds for scientific research.
+Draft a concise two-page proposal summarising the scientific case, preliminary results, required budget and…
Raise funds for scientific research.
+Draft a concise two-page proposal summarising the scientific case, preliminary results, required budget and timeline, attach key figures and a one-page CV, and send to the university research office and two potential funders by next Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Serve on professional panels and committees.
+Prepare my committee report: list conflicts of interest, summarise recent topical developments, state…
Serve on professional panels and committees.
+Prepare my committee report: list conflicts of interest, summarise recent topical developments, state recommended actions and time commitments, and circulate to panel members with requested responses within two weeks.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Conduct question-and-answer presentations on astronomy topics with public audiences.
+Put together a one-hour public Q&A plan: three short slides that explain dark matter and cosmic expansion,…
Conduct question-and-answer presentations on astronomy topics with public audiences.
+Put together a one-hour public Q&A plan: three short slides that explain dark matter and cosmic expansion, three accessible demo questions, and a one-page FAQ handout to distribute at Saturday's event.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Direct the operations of a planetarium.
+Compile the operations checklist for next month: dome maintenance schedule, staff shift roster, upcoming show…
Direct the operations of a planetarium.
+Compile the operations checklist for next month: dome maintenance schedule, staff shift roster, upcoming show scripts with run times, ticketing limits, and emergency contact list, and circulate to the planetarium team by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Conduct photometry to measure light flux from objects
+Measure aperture photometry on the CCD frames for the target field, subtract local background using annuli,…
Conduct photometry to measure light flux from objects
+Measure aperture photometry on the CCD frames for the target field, subtract local background using annuli, apply the published zeropoint and extinction coefficients, produce a table of calibrated fluxes with uncertainties and airmass for each object.
The tools that do the workPythonWikipedia
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Research the formation, structures, properties, and development of interstellar matter
+Perform a literature and catalogue cross-match for the molecular cloud region, compile spectral line and dust…
Research the formation, structures, properties, and development of interstellar matter
+Perform a literature and catalogue cross-match for the molecular cloud region, compile spectral line and dust continuum measurements, model density and temperature profiles to test fragmentation scenarios, and draft a one‑page summary of implications for star formation.
The tools that do the workPythonESCO
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Carry out scientific research in observatory
+Plan the next three-night observing run: finalize target list with coordinates and exposure times to reach…
Carry out scientific research in observatory
+Plan the next three-night observing run: finalize target list with coordinates and exposure times to reach SNR 30, create instrument configuration and calibration sequence, book dome time with the night manager, and prepare a checklist for on‑sky operations.
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Gather experimental data
+Acquire and log raw detector frames for tonight’s program, record environmental and pointing metadata for…
Gather experimental data
+Acquire and log raw detector frames for tonight’s program, record environmental and pointing metadata for each exposure, flag any saturated or guiding‑error frames, and upload verified datasets to the project archive with observation notes.
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
The human activities behind the tasks — each with its honest AI ceiling.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses