DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
19-2011 Astronomers
Occupational Description:
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U S | 2,070 | 230 | $59.40/hr | $2.02/hr | $28.87/hr | $38.38/hr | $55.66/hr | $78.03/hr | $90.24/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2020 - 2030 | |
| Mechanical Engineers | 7,480 | $39.62/hr | 6.0% |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | 1,970 | $26.39/hr | -0.6% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians | 1,960 | $29.31/hr | -1.2% |
| Surveyors | 900 | $33.92/hr | 4.9% |
| Hydrologists | 300 | $38.26/hr | -0.7% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 230 | $38.63/hr | 5.2% |
| Physicists | 160 | $60.41/hr | 5.6% |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Tasks for Astronomers
- Studies celestial phenomena from ground or above atmosphere, using various optical devices, such as telescopes situated on ground or attached to satellites.
- Studies history, structure, extent, and evolution of stars, stellar systems, and universe.
- Calculates orbits and determines sizes, shapes, brightness, and motions of different celestial bodies.
- Develops mathematical tables giving positions of sun, moon, planets, and stars at given times for use by air and sea navigators.
- Designs optical, mechanical and electronic instruments for astronomical research.
- Analyzes wave lengths of radiation from celestial bodies, as observed in all ranges of spectrum.
- Determines exact time by celestial observations and conducts research into relationships between time and space.
- Computes positions of sun, moon, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies.
