Astronomers
Medium46.13%
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$56,500
Median$127,930
High (90th %)$183,500
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Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
The occupation "Astronomers" has an automation risk of 46.1%, which is slightly below the base risk of 47.1%. This means astronomers face a moderate likelihood of automation affecting aspects of their work. The relatively balanced risk reflects that, although computational and procedural tasks are increasingly handled by artificial intelligence and automation, significant elements of astronomy still fundamentally rely on unique human skills and insight. Advances in machine learning enable faster data analysis and improved automated control over equipment and systems, but not all responsibilities can be easily replaced by machines. Among the most automatable tasks for astronomers are those that involve predictable or data-driven operations. For instance, directing the operations of a planetarium can often be managed by pre-programmed sequences or automated systems. Analyzing research data to determine its significance, especially using computers, is also highly susceptible to automation as AI algorithms become better at processing large datasets and identifying patterns. Presenting research findings—whether at scientific conferences or in written papers—can be partially automated through automated report generation and data visualization tools, though nuance and interpretation still require human judgment. However, several critical tasks continue to resist automation, largely due to their need for advanced cognitive and interpersonal skills. Conducting question-and-answer presentations with public audiences demands adaptive communication and personal engagement, which current AI lacks. Calculating orbits and determining properties of celestial bodies requires not just computation but also innovative analytical thinking to interpret complex, ambiguous data. Additionally, serving on professional panels and committees involves decision-making, negotiation, and domain expertise that depend on originality—a bottleneck skill scored at 3.8%-4.1%. These tasks highlight why human astronomers remain vital, even as automation becomes more sophisticated.
Filter by Automatable Status
Direct the operations of a planetarium.
Non-Automatable
Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
Partially Automatable
Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
Partially Automatable
Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
Partially Automatable
Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
Non-Automatable
Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena.
Partially Automatable
Teach astronomy or astrophysics.
Partially Automatable
Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.
Partially Automatable
Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.
Partially Automatable
Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
Partially Automatable
Review scientific proposals and research papers.
Partially Automatable
Raise funds for scientific research.
Partially Automatable
Serve on professional panels and committees.
Partially Automatable
Calculate orbits and determine sizes, shapes, brightness, and motions of different celestial bodies.
Automatable
Conduct question-and-answer presentations on astronomy topics with public audiences.
Partially Automatable
Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
Partially Automatable
Develop and modify astronomy-related programs for public presentation.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingLearning StrategiesOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceSystems EvaluationWritingMathematicsScienceActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationComplex Problem SolvingOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Personnel Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingPersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageTherapy and CounselingCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and Training
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationProcessing InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
RSASAdaptive optics AO simulation softwareAnalyzeAstronomical Image Processing System AIPSAstronomical information processing system AIPS++Avis Fits ViewerData reduction softwareIRISMSB Software AstroartPythonMultipurpose Interactive Image Processing System MIIPSC++Microsoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordWeb browser softwareApache HadoopStructured query language SQLIBM SPSS StatisticsLinuxOracle JavaFormula translation/translator FORTRANSoftware development toolsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareSoftware Bisque CCDSoftSpectroscopy databasesStarcalThe MathWorks MATLABThe MathWorks MATLABSoftware development toolsSASAdaptive optics AO simulation softwareAnalyzeAstronomical Image Processing System AIPSAstronomical information processing system AIPS++Avis Fits ViewerData reduction softwareIBM SPSS StatisticsMicrosoft WordWeb browser softwareStructured query language SQLMicrosoft PowerPointC++LinuxOracle JavaFormula translation/translator FORTRANInterface definition language IDLVisual Numerics PV-WAVEIRISMSB Software AstroartMultipurpose Interactive Image Processing System MIIPSSoftware Bisque CCDSoftSpectroscopy databasesStarcalNational Instruments LabVIEWNational Instruments LabVIEWRInterface definition language IDLVisual Numerics PV-WAVEAbstraction plus reference plus synthesis A++Abstraction plus reference plus synthesis A++Astronomical Image Processing for Windows AIP4WINAstronomical Image Processing for Windows AIP4WINDiffraction Limited MaxIm DLDiffraction Limited MaxIm DLEuropean Southern Observatory Munich Image Data Analysis System ESO-MIDASEuropean Southern Observatory Munich Image Data Analysis System ESO-MIDASApache HadoopPythonMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office software
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Medium45.73%
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Mathematicians
Medium44.50%
Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.
Statisticians
Medium53.05%
Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.
Data Scientists
Medium59.38%
Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.
Nanosystems Engineers
Medium47.02%
Design, develop, or supervise the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical, or biological engineering.
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Medium51.17%
Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Medium49.97%
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.
Bioinformatics Scientists
Medium51.45%
Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Medium44.52%
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Geneticists
Medium46.99%
Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.
Physicists
Medium51.27%
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Medium54.71%
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.
Chemists
Medium51.25%
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Materials Scientists
Medium49.08%
Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Medium49.96%
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
Hydrologists
Medium50.06%
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Medium42.76%
Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Medium40.92%
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Medium43.47%
Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Medium43.04%
Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.