Is a career in astronomy a good choice?
Question:
Is a career in astronomy a good choice?
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Answer:
As an astronomer or physicist, you'll study the interactions between matter and energy. If you're adept in science and math, this could be a great career path with high financial rewards, but getting your foot in the door will be difficult.
The median annual wage for astronomers is $114,590, and $122,850 for physicists. Employment is expected to grow by 9 percent from 2018 to 2028, although federal funding for astronomy-related research projects is not likely to grow, which may decrease the need for people in these positions. Furthermore, astronomy is a crowded field; in 2018, only 21,600 people were working as astronomers or physicists, and despite projected growth, estimates conclude that only 1,800 new jobs will open up in the next eight years.
If you're passionate about pursuing a career in astronomy, you'll have to go through a lot of schooling to be competitive for higher-level jobs. A Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a related field is required for academic or research positions. A master's degree may earn you a job in applied research or manufacturing, but a bachelor's will likely result in jobs including research assistant, observatory assistant, or positions in related fields, such as engineering, computer science, or teaching middle or high school.
If you're still not sure whether astronomy is a good fit for you, check out this article.
