What is the average salary for an astronomer in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not release a separate average or median for astronomers. The occupation is grouped with physicists (ANZSCO 234914). Jobs and Skills Australia reports that median weekly earnings for that group are not available due to a high relative standard error. The best national benchmark is the full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026.

How does an astronomer's pay compare to the national full-time average?

Without a published figure for astronomers, you can look at proxies. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025 shows that Professionals (the broad category that includes astronomers) earned a median hourly rate of $64.50. Full-time Professionals had a median weekly total cash earnings of about $1,887. That is below the national full-time ordinary-time average of $2,083.70. However, astronomers often work in research or government roles, which tend to pay above the all-industries average. The public sector full-time average is $2,263.10 per week, or about $117,681 per year.

What factors could push an astronomer's salary above or below the national average?

Several factors matter. Sector: public-sector astronomers (e.g., at universities or CSIRO) earn more on average than those in private industry. Location: the ACT has the highest state average at $119,090 per year, while Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. Experience and seniority also play a role; the median age for physicists/astronomers is 41, suggesting many are mid-career. Finally, the type of employer matters: research institutions often pay under awards or collective agreements, while private-sector roles may be set by individual arrangement.

What the latest data says about the astronomer salary in Australia

Where the astronomer salary sits against the national average

There is no single published figure for the astronomer salary in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) groups astronomers with physicists under ANZSCO code 234914, and the sample size is too small to produce a reliable median or average. Jobs and Skills Australia notes that median weekly earnings for this occupation are not available (N/A) because the relative standard error exceeds 25%. That means any estimate would be too uncertain to publish.

Without a direct figure, the best starting point is the national full-time adult ordinary-time average: $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, from the Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses to show whether a role pays above or below the typical full-time worker.

What the data does tell us

The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025 (released January 2026) provides a broader picture. For all Professionals (the major group that includes astronomers), the median hourly total cash earnings was $64.50. Full-time non-managerial Professionals had a median weekly total cash earnings of $1,887, which is below the national full-time ordinary-time average of $2,083.70. However, astronomers are a small subset within Professionals, and their pay can vary widely.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 87% of physicists and astronomers work full time, with average full-time hours of 41 per week – slightly above the standard 38-hour week used by this site. The median age is 41, indicating a relatively experienced workforce. The female share is 26%, well below the all-occupations average of 49%.

What would move an astronomer's pay above or below the average?

Several factors can push an astronomer's salary above or below the national full-time line:

Sector: The public sector full-time average is $2,263.10 per week ($117,681 per year), while the private sector average is $2,034.10 per week ($105,773 per year). Many astronomers work in public research institutions, universities, or government agencies like the CSIRO, which tend to pay at or above the public-sector average.
Location: State averages vary significantly. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. Astronomers based in Canberra (home to the Mount Stromlo Observatory and the Australian National University) may earn well above the national average.
Experience and seniority: With a median age of 41, many astronomers are mid- to late-career. Senior researchers, professors, or lead scientists can earn well above the average, while early-career postdoctoral fellows often earn closer to the minimum award rates.
Award coverage: Many university and research roles are covered by the Higher Education Industry – Academic Staff – Award 2020. From 1 July 2026, award minimums rose by 4.75%. A Level A (associate lecturer) starts around $75,000–$85,000, while a Level E (professor) can exceed $180,000. These are minimums; actual salaries are often higher.
Individual arrangement: About 38.5% of all employees have their pay set by individual arrangement, which is common in senior research roles. This can push pay above award rates.

How the figures are set

The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which measures ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults. It is published twice a year (May and November). The median figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, released annually. The national minimum wage is set by Fair Work and from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% on the same date.

For a detailed explanation of how these benchmarks are calculated, see How the figures are set.

What about the gender pay gap?

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey shows that men's full-time ordinary-time average is $2,181.50 per week ($113,438 per year) and women's is $1,934.50 per week ($100,594 per year). The gender pay gap for full-time employees is about 11.3%. For astronomers, the female share is only 26%, which may affect overall averages if women are concentrated in lower-paid roles.

Bottom line

Because the ABS does not publish a specific astronomer salary, you cannot point to a single number. However, the national full-time average of $108,352 per year is a useful benchmark. If you work in the public sector, in a high-paying state like the ACT, or in a senior research role, your pay is likely above that line. If you are early-career, in a lower-paying state, or in a private-sector role, it may be below. The Employee Earnings and Hours survey provides additional context for Professionals as a group.