5 jobs of astronomy

A science-based degree with a specialization in astronomy will open doors to a variety of intriguing occupations. Some astronomy careers need you to spend the bulk of your time in a lab, while others allow you to travel and discover new places. What you pick is determined by your particular tastes and skills.

Here are some common astronomy occupations that pay well and provide a diverse work environment:

1. Technical writer senior

The national average annual wage is $77,780.

Primary responsibilities: Expert-level expertise in a certain area is essential for a successful career in technical writing. Astronomy graduates who want to work as technical writers may do so. They work with research scientists to create peer reviews and critiques that steer study in the subject, in addition to preparing research and funding submissions. As a result, technical writing is one of the most popular astronomical job options, and people with substantial scientific understanding are employed as senior-level writers.

2. University professor

The national average annual wage is $91,098.

Primary responsibilities: Astronomy graduates may opt to work in an academic setting since they have the qualifications to teach at the college level. These college professors may teach a range of astronomy and physics subjects, such as biophysics, cosmology, observational astronomy, and physics education research, depending on their research expertise. They often serve as chair of the department as well. Aside from teaching, they aim to create high-impact research programs that make use of university resources and research facilities.

3. Planetarium supervisor

The national average annual wage is $73,166.

Primary responsibilities: Astronomy graduates that are natural born leaders will flourish as directors of planetariums or planetary museums. Museum directors in this profession, often known as curators, are scientific enthusiasts with strong ties to the aerospace community. Directors often have outstanding scientific careers in which they apply their significant industrial experience and research skills to steer the museum's goal. They supervise and direct museum displays and may collaborate with other museum staff to protect the institution's items.

4. meteorologist

The average annual wage in the United States is $76,373.

Primary responsibilities: Astronomy occupations include meteorologists, who study the Earth's atmosphere to anticipate weather conditions. They have received extensive training in the use of mathematical and physical formulas to create their conclusions. A meteorologist's primary responsibilities include collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from worldwide weather stations, satellites, and other sensors. They report their findings to government organizations, commercial enterprises, and broadcasters, who utilize the knowledge to make educated judgments.

5. Scientist in research

The national average annual wage is $89,348.

Primary Responsibilities: Research scientists are critical thinkers with technical abilities who operate in a wide range of astronomy subfields. They work in laboratories and for government organizations to undertake research with the purpose of achieving a significant shared goal. Scientific research, by definition, provides both autonomous and collaborative conditions. When research experts are ready, they share their results at scientific gatherings and in peer-reviewed papers published in industry journals.

6.Climate expert

The national average annual wage is $99,740. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Primary responsibilities: Climatology careers concentrate on long-term weather trends in particular places. Climatologists are problem solvers that investigate the elements that impact weather across several decades, often on a 30-year cycle. They are often seen taking soil samples, evaluating data, and presenting their findings to the community. Climatologists may operate as weather forecasters or as researchers developing new measuring instruments.

7.Engineer in aeronautics

The national average annual pay is $96,747.

Primary responsibilities: An aeronautical engineer created the construction and operational operations of every spacecraft and satellite. These engineers design the space mission as well as the ship. Aeronautical engineers are experts in various critical components of space exploration. They must comprehend how the design and propulsion of a rocket will interact with the Earth's gravitational pull and orbit, as well as the space environment.

8.Astronomer 

The national average annual wage is $128,950. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Astronomers explore the cosmos and use math and physics to assist their findings. Radio astronomy (the use of radio telescopes to detect celestial radio emissions), solar astronomy (study of the sun), stellar astronomy (study of suns in other solar systems), planetary astronomy (study of the solar system's planets and extra-solar planets), galactic and extragalactic astronomy (study of extremely distant objects), and cosmology are some of the specialties in astronomy (theoretical astronomy using data, not observations).

9. astronomer

The national average annual wage is $128,950. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Primary responsibilities: An astrophysicist's duty might include a number of activities linked to the investigation of objects in space and the development of ideas about them. Astrophysicists examine their hypotheses of astronomical correlations and comprehend the rules of the cosmos using their deep understanding of physics and superior mathematical abilities. They must do administrative tasks relating to their discoveries. They also write grants to support their studies, give scientific talks, and publish academic papers in industry-related journals.

10. physicist

The national average annual wage is $128,950. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Primary responsibilities: Physicists are well-rounded scientists with a natural curiosity. They are often hired by universities to do academic study, however some may specialize in subjects such as astrophysics and quantum mechanics. They often collaborate with astronomers to perform research that explains how various types of energy and matter interact. They may specialize in one field of study and investigate the rules that control time and space. Their broad expertise aids in the development of technical improvements and specialized gadgets.