Astronomers salary in California
The median astronomers in California earns $123,540 a year, 4% below the US median. After tax that is roughly $7,255 a month.
- 10th percentile
- $76,020
- 25th percentile
- $76,020
- Median percentile
- $123,540
- 75th percentile
- $182,780
- 90th percentile
- $195,190
Based on 110 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.
What you keep
$87,058 take-home a year
| Gross pay | $123,540 |
| Federal income tax | −$18,384 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$9,451 |
| California income tax (approx.) | −$8,648 |
| Monthly take-home | $7,255 |
| Every two weeks | $3,348 |
Does it go far here?
$111,579Median pay in California is worth this at average US prices (local price level 110.7 vs 100).
28%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,036 a month, Census ACS).
Top-paying jobs in California
| Job | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $400,150 |
| Neurologists | $357,080 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $353,900 |
| Psychiatrists | $353,500 |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $313,890 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $301,240 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $292,410 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 |