Astronomers

Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension
Science
Writing
Mathematics
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Speaking
Active Learning

Key knowledge

Physics
Mathematics
Computers and Electronics
English Language
Education and Training
Engineering and Technology
Chemistry
Communications and Media

What the work involves

Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
Raise funds for scientific research.
Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Investigative, Realistic, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Doctoral Degree (65.2% of respondents)
Related experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years (43.5%)
On-the-job training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month (30.4%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 5: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Astronomers is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Very low	Lower on contact with others than 93% of occupations compared	39% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others about half the time”
Dealing with the public	Very low	Lower on dealing with the public than 92% of occupations compared	43% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly important”
Teamwork	Low	Lower on teamwork than 71% of occupations compared	43% of surveyed respondents chose “Very important”
Freedom to make decisions	Very high	Higher on freedom to make decisions than 96% of occupations compared	83% of surveyed respondents chose “A lot of freedom”
Time pressure	Very low	Lower on time pressure than 96% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a month or more but not every week”
Conflict situations	Very low	Lower on conflict situations than 93% of occupations compared	70% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Very low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 98% of occupations compared	65% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	Very low	Lower on consequence of error than 90% of occupations compared	52% of surveyed respondents chose “Not serious at all”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: very low
Conflict situations: very low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: very low
Consequence of error: very low

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions