How much does a Astronomer make

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Astronomer

51 500 kr

Physicists and astronomers

41 600 - 58 500 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

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Salary progression Astronomer

Average salary 51 500 kr
Males 51 800 kr
Females 50 500 kr
2 Likes 0 Comments 16 Vacant jobs ->

What does an astronomer do? – Tasks and work environment

An astronomer studies the structure, origin, and development of the universe by examining celestial bodies and cosmic phenomena. Tasks often include data collection with advanced telescopes, analysis of observations, as well as theoretical modeling and simulations. The work primarily takes place in research environments such as universities or government institutes, but can also include teaching and public lectures. Many astronomers collaborate internationally and participate in projects at large observatories or space telescopes, which means the work environment is often high-tech and interdisciplinary.

Salary development over time

The salary of an astronomer has shown stable and positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 48,500 SEK per month, increasing to 49700 SEK in 2023. The most recent recorded salary for 2024 is 51 500 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 6.2% over the period. This salary development reflects a continued demand for highly educated specialists in science, as well as increased focus on research and technological development. Salaries are also influenced by the limited availability of qualified astronomers and competition for research funding and projects, which drives up compensation levels in the field.

Astronomer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 51 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK/month (female, private sector worker, post-secondary education < 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 58,500 SEK/month (male, municipal sector, research education)
  • Hourly wage: 310 SEK
  • Men earn: 51 800 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 50 500 SEK/month
  • Women’s salary as a percentage of men’s: 97%

Interestingly, many astronomers work with global collaborations, where data from space telescopes across different continents are combined to solve the universe’s greatest mysteries. It’s not uncommon for the workday to start with video meetings at dawn and end with coding long after sunset, depending on the time zones involved in the project.

– statsskuld.se

Education and qualifications

To work as an astronomer, a lengthy educational path in physics or astronomy is generally required, usually at university level. Most professionals hold a research degree, often a doctorate, and have experience with advanced data analysis and programming. Internships at observatories or participation in international research projects are common.

  • Education: Master’s degree in physics or astronomy (5 years)
  • Research degree: Doctorate (additional 4–5 years)
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility plus advanced mathematics and physics
  • Internships: Opportunities for internships or traineeships at observatories during studies
  • Courses: Programming, statistics, and computer simulations recommended

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for astronomers include opportunities for research travel, participation in international conferences, and access to advanced technical equipment. Flexible working hours, wellness allowances, and remote work options are often available, especially within academic and government roles. Some positions also offer support for further education and skills development.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as an astronomer is high, as the number of research positions and projects is limited in Sweden. Many choose to seek opportunities in international research environments or combine research with teaching to enhance career prospects. Funding is a recurring challenge, as larger projects often depend on external grants and collaborations. Technological advancements also require continuous skills development, especially in data-driven analysis and programming. Despite these challenges, the job market remains stable for the most qualified, but new positions are few, and competition for research funding remains fierce.

Tips for aspiring astronomers

To succeed as an astronomer, it’s good to combine strong analytical skills with perseverance and curiosity. Early focus on mathematics and physics provides a solid foundation, while an interest in programming and statistics facilitates practical work with data. Being collaborative is important, as many projects are conducted in larger research teams and often across national borders. Good communication skills are also essential, both for teaching and presenting research results. Finally, patience and accuracy are crucial, as progress can sometimes be slow and require detailed analysis over extended periods.

Key facts about Astronomer

  • Educational level: Doctorate most common
  • Work environment: Academic, high-tech, and international
  • Work form: Research, teaching, and data analysis
  • Demand: Limited number of positions, high competition
  • Available jobs: 143

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as an astronomer, many can advance to more independent research positions or lead their own projects within universities, research institutes, or international collaborations. Opportunities also exist to move into roles such as lecturer, associate professor, or research leader. Some choose to work in related fields such as space industry, data analysis, or science communication. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that it is difficult to make precise predictions about future prospects, as statistics are limited for this profession. However, there are a total of 143 job openings in physics and astronomy, indicating some demand for qualified candidates. The profession requires continued high education levels, and competition for research funding is expected to persist.

Frequently asked questions about Astronomer

  • What is the average salary of an Astronomer?
    - An astronomer has an average salary of 51 500 SEK per month.
  • What do salary differences between men and women look like?
    - Men earn an average of 51 800 SEK, women 50 500 SEK per month. Women thus earn 97% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become an astronomer?
    - Usually a master's degree followed by a doctorate in physics or astronomy.
  • Are there regional salary differences for astronomers?
    - No specific statistics are available, but salaries can vary depending on employer and sector.
  • What are the future prospects for astronomers?
    - The job market is small and competitive, but there are 143 job openings within the field of physicists and astronomers.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for astronomers?
    - The highest salary is 58,500 SEK (male, municipal sector, research education), the lowest 41,600 SEK (female, private sector worker, post-secondary education < 3 years).
  • What does an astronomer do on a daily basis?
    - The workday consists of research, data analysis, simulations, and sometimes teaching or communicating research results.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-11-13 03:17:20

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Astronomer is 58500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 56500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Astronomer is 41600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 44900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 102% 41800 kr 42100 kr
35-44 100% 49700 kr 50000 kr
45-54 102% 55800 kr 56100 kr
55-64 61000 kr 61200 kr
Snitt 97% 51200 kr 51500 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Astronomer has the SSYK code 2111, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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