Paycheck Atlas

Astronomers salary in Washington, DC

The median astronomers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns $156,750 a year, 22% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $8,757 a month.

10th percentile
$105,870
25th percentile
$128,610
Median percentile
$156,750
75th percentile
$189,950
90th percentile
$195,190

Based on 520 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

$105,081 take-home a year
Gross pay$156,750
Federal income tax−$26,354
Social Security + Medicare−$11,991
District of Columbia income tax (approx.)−$13,324
Monthly take-home$8,757
Every two weeks$4,042

Does it go far here?

$143,961Median pay in Washington, DC is worth this at average US prices (local price level 108.9 vs 100).
23%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,027 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in Washington, DC

JobMedian pay
Psychiatrists$246,990
Emergency Medicine Physicians$239,200
Family Medicine Physicians$225,140
General Internal Medicine Physicians$223,250
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$209,750
Physicians, All Other$208,710
Public Relations Managers$195,190
Computer and Information Systems Managers$195,190

All astronomers salaries · Take-home pay in District of Columbia