Astronomers
What they do
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Expected pay range
Expected pay range
This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
About astronomers
Other titles
Astronomer, Astrophysicist, Data Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientist
Tasks they perform
- Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
Skills they need
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Licenses and Certifications
How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.
Certifications
Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications (external link opens new tab)
Similar careers
View careers in the same field as astronomers.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Mathematicians
Better pay
Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
In demand
In demand careers have high-growth, high-demand, and emerging jobs critical to Texas. They are based on economic indicators like in demand industries, labor market trends, and economic conditions, provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Additional career information and resources
Learn more about astronomers with these helpful sites.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (external link opens new tab)
- American Astronomical Society (external link opens new tab)
- American Geophysical Union (external link opens new tab)
- American Institute of Physics (external link opens new tab)
- American Physical Society (external link opens new tab)
- Astronomical Society of the Pacific (external link opens new tab)
- IEEE (external link opens new tab)
- International Astronomical Union (external link opens new tab)
- National Academy of Sciences (external link opens new tab)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicists and astronomers (external link opens new tab)