Astronomers
Life, Physical, and Social Science · SOC 19-2011
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
Decision card
Career Evidence Passport
SOC 19-2011 evidence across exposure, wages, projections, postings, certified LCAs, skills, and transitions.
- SOC exposure
- 38.5%
- Very High · Anthropic AEI
- Automation friction
- 53/100
- Moderate friction; broad SOC seed ORS job-requirements coverage.
- Wages
- $128,820
- H-1B offered wage $84,572; LCAs are filings.
- Projected openings
- 200
- BLS EP 2024–2034; employment change +2.2%.
- Observed/proxy demand
- 135
- FY2025 certified LCAs; 379 postings in 2025.
Skill evidence
- H-1B values are certified Labor Condition Applications, not visa approvals.
- Job postings are seed-static / seed-derived; treat as provider-ready proxy coverage until observed provider data is wired in.
- Transition matches are directional skill-overlap context, not placement guarantees.
- This release is a FutureGrid broad-SOC seed derived from public BLS ORS requirement concepts and categories, not direct occupation-level ORS survey estimates. It describes job requirements, not worker ability, AI capability, or displacement probability. Automation friction is a FutureGrid derived score and should be read alongside exposure, demand, wage, and projection signals.
Best transitions from here
Explore all pathways→Lower AI-exposure roles that reuse your skills, ranked by a transition score (skills that transfer, safety gain, pay and retraining effort).
AI Exposure Analysis
Across AI measures
Multiple exposure lenses for this occupation.
Top Skills
H-1B Visa Sponsorship Demand
View full H-1B trends →Certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications naming this occupation, FY2016–FY2025. A descriptive high-skill labor-demand signal — employer filings, not visa approvals or individual outcomes. Note: one LCA can cover multiple worker positions.
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Common titles: Astronomer, Astronomy Outreach Coordinator, Astrophysicist, Research Astrophysicist
Representative Tasks
- •Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
- •Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- •Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
- •Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
- •Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Analyze operational or research data.
- •Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
- •Direct scientific activities.
- •Advise students on academic or career matters.
- •Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
Tools & Technologies
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
Employment & Wage Trend
BLS OEWS, 2019–2025
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). See /sources.
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 38.5% | 9.7% |
| Outlook | Average | 37% Bright |
| Median Salary | $128,820 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 62/100 | N/A |