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Astronomer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer - Applications

New York, NY ยท On-site

$144K - $160K/yr

Astronomer empowers data teams to bring mission-critical software, analytics, and AI to life and is the company behind Astro, the industry-leading unified DataOps platform powered by Apache Airflow ...

Astronomer empowers data teams to bring mission-critical software, analytics, and AI to life and is the company behind Astro, the industry-leading unified DataOps platform powered by Apache Airflow ...

Senior Software Engineer, Platform

New York, NY ยท On-site

$168K - $230K/yr

Astronomer empowers data teams to bring mission-critical software, analytics, and AI to life and is the company behind Astro, the industry-leading unified DataOps platform powered by Apache Airflow ...

Staff Product Manager - NYC

New York, NY ยท On-site

$240K - $270K/yr

Astronomer empowers data teams to bring mission-critical software, analytics, and AI to life and is the company behind Astro, the industry-leading unified DataOps platform powered by Apache Airflow ...

Staff Product Manager - SF

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$240K - $270K/yr

Astronomer empowers data teams to bring mission-critical software, analytics, and AI to life and is the company behind Astro, the industry-leading unified DataOps platform powered by Apache Airflow ...

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How much do astronomer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for astronomer in the United States is $26.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an astronomer?

Astronomers are scientists who study celestial objects, such as stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. They use telescopes and other instruments to observe and analyze phenomena beyond Earth's atmosphere. Their work helps us understand the origins, evolution, and properties of objects in space, as well as fundamental questions about the nature of the universe. Astronomers often work in research, education, or observatories, and may specialize in areas like astrophysics, cosmology, or planetary science.

What do astronomers do?

Astronomers study the universe, from the planets and stars in our solar system to the Milky Way and galaxy beyond. Their job is to discover how everything works together and research the origins and effects of heavenly anomalies, such as black holes, asteroids, and pulsars. What an astronomer does on a day-to-day basis will vary significantly based on their specialty. For instance, planetary astronomers study the rotation and life cycles of planets, moons, and asteroids. Stellar astronomers focus on the life cycle of stars, including the study of black holes, supernovas, nebulae, and star creation. An astronomer may also study the sun and its magnetic field and storms or focus solely on the Milky Way and galaxy. Astronomers wishing to focus on a broader, more all-encompassing view of the universe often choose to enter the field of cosmology which involves immersion into the history of the universe, as well as active research and hypothesis on current theories, such as dark matter, string theory, and multiverses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an astronomer?

To thrive as an Astronomer, you need a strong background in physics, mathematics, and computer science, usually with a Ph.D. in astronomy or a related field. Expertise in data analysis software, telescope operation, and programming languages like Python or MATLAB is commonly required. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills for interpreting data and sharing findings. These skills are essential for conducting rigorous research, collaborating with international teams, and advancing our understanding of the universe.

What are some common challenges astronomers face when working on research projects?

Astronomers often encounter challenges such as securing telescope time, managing large volumes of data, and adapting to rapidly advancing technologies. Collaboration with international teams is common, requiring effective communication across different time zones and cultures. Additionally, astronomers need to stay updated on the latest research, which can be demanding given the fast-paced nature of the field. Overcoming these hurdles is key to making significant scientific contributions.

What is the difference between Astronomer vs Astrophysicist?

AspectAstronomerAstrophysicist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Astronomy, Physics, or related field; often a Ph.D. for research rolesBachelor's or Master's in Physics, Astronomy, or related; Ph.D. common for research
Work EnvironmentObservatories, research institutions, universities, planetariumsResearch labs, universities, government agencies, space agencies
Industry UsageAcademic, research, public outreachResearch, academia, space exploration, theoretical modeling

Both astronomers and astrophysicists often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. However, astronomers typically focus on observational data and public outreach, while astrophysicists tend to emphasize theoretical modeling and space research. The choice between the two depends on whether you prefer hands-on observation or theoretical work within the field of space sciences.

Is astronomer a high paying job?

Astronomers typically earn a median annual salary of around $100,000, but salaries can vary based on experience, education, and location. While some positions in academia or research institutions may offer lower pay, those in industry or with advanced degrees tend to earn higher salaries.

What jobs do astronomers get?

Astronomers typically work in research institutions, universities, government agencies, or observatories, focusing on studying celestial objects and phenomena. They often conduct data analysis, develop models, and publish scientific findings, using tools like telescopes and computer simulations. Many astronomers also work in education or science communication roles.

What cities are hiring for Astronomer jobs?

Cities with the most Astronomer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Astronomer jobs?

The most popular types of Astronomer jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Astronomer jobs?

The top employers for Astronomer jobs are:

What states have the most Astronomer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Astronomer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Astronomer jobs?

For Astronomer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Astronomer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 56% Physical, 12% Hybrid, and 32% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,791 per year, or $26.3 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer, Core Platform

Astronomer

New York, NY โ€ข On-site

$210K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Astronomer empowers data teams to bring mission-critical software, analytics, and AI to life and is the company behind Astro, the industry-leading unified DataOps platform powered by Apache Airflowยฎ. Astro accelerates building reliable data products that unlock insights, unleash AI value, and powers data-driven applications. Trusted by more than 800 of the world's leading enterprises, Astronomer lets businesses do more with their data. To learn more, visit www.astronomer.io.
About this role
At Astronomer, we're on a mission to make Apache Airflow the go-to standard for data orchestration, and our R&D team is at the heart of it. We're looking for a Software Engineer to our Core Platform team, where you'll work on core systems that power Astro's Public API, authentication, billing, alerting frameworks, and ensure the platform is reliable, scalable, and maintainable.
This is a chance to build real-world production systems, collaborate with brilliant engineers, and directly impact how companies around the world manage their data. You'll grow your skills fast, tackle challenging technical problems, and be part of a team that's shaping the future of data infrastructure. Astro's Core Platform exists at the heart of all our products; you get to touch all aspects of product, backend and our engineering practice.
What you get to do:
  • Contribute to the development of Astro Platform's architecture and components, through implementation and architectural participation.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand user requirements, implement and iterate on features used in our product and by the engineering org as a whole.
  • Work with front end developers, product management and customers to deliver customer facing features such as public facing APIs and the technology behind Astro's own infrastructure.
  • Contribute to the overall platform usability, reliability, and scalability.

What you bring to the role:
  • A track record in building performant, scalable, and reliable backend systems.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative mindset.
  • Experience in developing services with Go, interacting with dependencies and service orchestration on Kubernetes.
  • Familiarity with SQL databases (Postgres, with Spanner experience also a plus)
  • Advanced understanding of distributed systems concepts and NALSD.
  • Experience rationally leveraging AI coding assistants and LLMs (e.g., Claude, Cursor, Gemini) to accelerate development - from prototyping and automated testing to code refactoring and documentation.

Bonus points if you have:
  • Contributions to open source projects.
  • Experience with Apache Airflow or related workflow orchestrators.
  • Experience with critical business functions such as billing, authentication, and systems and practices around this area.

The estimated salary for this role ranges from $210,000 - $250,000 based on leveling and geography, along with an equity component and a comprehensive benefits package. This range is merely an estimate; actual compensation may deviate from this range based on skills, experience, and qualifications.
#LI-Fulltime #LI-Hybrid
At Astronomer, we value diversity. We are an equal opportunity employer: we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.