Astronomer Salary in Washington DC

What you should make. What you should ask for. Calculated from 1M+ data points, refreshed monthly.

25th pctl

$140K

Median (p50)

$185K

75th pctl

$240K

90th pctl

$290K

Adjusted for Washington DC at 1.17× the national baseline. See the math →

What this number means.

Astronomer in Washington DC pulls a median of $184,860 at mid-IC, with a top-quartile band reaching $239,850 and the 90th percentile at $290,160. Washington DC sits at 1.17× the national average for comp. If you're up for review, the right ask sits at p75: $239,850.

How to negotiate this

Anchor$239,850 — the top-quartile number. This is the number you say first.
Target$212,355 — where a fair counter lands. Above the median, below the anchor.
Floor$184,860 — below this, you're underpaid. Walking away gets cheaper than staying.

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Read how these numbers are computed →

Numbers are estimates. Your offer depends on company, level, equity structure, and the conversation you're about to have. AMMO is a tool. You are the negotiator.