How much does Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory pay?

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory has a median filed salary of $88,436 across 142 DOL filings, ranging from $77,738 to $102,517.

Does Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory pay above market?

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory pays approximately 32.8% relative to the DOL prevailing wage floor for its filed positions.

What jobs does Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory sponsor?

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory files most often for: Physicists, Astronomers, 15-1132, 19-2011.00, 15-1035.

Where does Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory hire?

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory files most DOL cases in: Massachusetts (89 filings), Arizona (9 filings), Arkansas (2 filings).

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Astronomers Salary - DOL Verified Data

MA Approval Rate 70.4% · most recent FY 2025

Median Salary

$82,721

Certified filings

DOL Filings

Certified: 100

Unique Job Titles

SOC occupations

Approval Rate

70.4%

Certified vs filed

Salary Range

Based on 21 certified filings

DOL-Filed Salary Range

$67,643$71,112$82,721$83,735$94,520

Prevailing Wage Premium - a TruthWage exclusive

+54.8%

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory pays 54.8% above the DOL minimum wage floor for its filed positions.

The prevailing wage is the minimum salary DOL sets as the floor for this occupation and location. A positive premium means the employer pays above that floor. Source: DOL LCA filings.

Salary Trend

FY2012 - FY2025

Salaries by Job Title

21 occupations with DOL-filed salary data

Job Title	Filings	Median Salary	vs Market	Salary Range
Physicists	44	$86,103	-48.2%	$75,222$75,222$86,103$92,737$92,737
Astronomers	21	$82,721	-37.4%	$71,112$71,112$82,721$83,735$83,735
15-1132	13	$92,773	N/A	$79,491$79,491$92,773$94,520$94,520
19-2011.00	11	$106,332	N/A	$80,328$80,328$106,332$108,062$108,062
15-1035	7	$96,778	N/A	$94,590$94,590$96,778$97,671$97,671
15-1035.00	7	$102,517	N/A	$85,428$85,428$102,517$102,517$102,517
19-2012.00	7	$115,131	N/A	$102,601$102,601$115,131$115,131$115,131
Atmospheric and Space Scientists	5	$88,635	-9.1%	Insufficient data for salary range.
15-1036	4	$66,941	N/A	Insufficient data for salary range.
15-1022	3	$66,210	N/A	$63,386$63,386$66,210$69,033$69,033
15-1252.00	3	$77,738	N/A	Insufficient data for salary range.
15-1296.00	3	$108,705	N/A	$63,705$63,705$108,705$114,916$114,916
Physical Scientists, All Other	3	$125,133	+6.1%	Insufficient data for salary range.
Natural Sciences Managers	2	$93,660	-41.9%	Insufficient data for salary range.
Accountants and Auditors	2	$51,871	-36.5%	Insufficient data for salary range.
17-2144	2	$96,411	N/A	Insufficient data for salary range.
15-1037	1	$127,874	N/A	Insufficient data for salary range.
15-1131	1	$67,517	N/A	Insufficient data for salary range.
15-1142	1	N/A	N/A	Insufficient data for salary range.
17-2076.00	1	$85,362	N/A	Insufficient data for salary range.
19-2021.00	1	$101,514	N/A	Insufficient data for salary range.

Individual DOL Filings for Astronomers at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Date	Salary	Prevailing Wage	Level	Location	Education	Status	Source
Jul 2019	$82,721	$54,954	-	Cambridge MA	N/A	Certified	LCA
Jul 2019	$82,721	$54,954	-	Cambridge MA	N/A	Certified	LCA
Jun 2019	$82,721	$50,794	-	Cambridge MA	N/A	Certified	LCA
Feb 2019	$83,735	$50,794	-	Amado AR	N/A	Certified	LCA
Feb 2019	$73,884	$50,794	-	Amado AR	N/A	Withdrawn	LCA
Feb 2019	$87,940	$67,933	-	Amado AR	N/A	Certified	LCA
Dec 2018	$67,643	$50,794	-	Cambridge MA	N/A	Certified-Withdrawn	LCA
Feb 2018	$67,643	$51,459	-	CAMBRIDGE MA	N/A	Certified	LCA
Mar 2017	$94,520	$49,296	-	CAMBRIDGE MA	N/A	Certified	LCA
Mar 2017	$94,520	$49,296	-	CAMBRIDGE MA	N/A	Certified-Withdrawn	LCA
Feb 2017	$79,488	$49,296	-	CAMBRIDGE MA	N/A	Certified-Withdrawn	LCA
Jan 2017	$79,488	$49,296	-	CAMBRIDGE MA	N/A	Denied	LCA
Jan 2016	$71,112	$66,934	-	AMADO AZ	N/A	Certified	LCA
May 2014	$75,974	$71,510	-	CAMBRIDGE MA	N/A	Certified	LCA
May 2012	$82,744	$48,402	-	CAMBRIDGE MA	N/A	Denied	LCA
May 2012	$82,744	$48,402	-	CAMBRIDGE MA	N/A	Certified	LCA
May 2012	$82,744	$48,401	-	CAMBRIDGE MA	N/A	Denied	LCA
Nov 2011	$68,809	$65,728	-	ARIZONA AZ	N/A	Certified	LCA

DOL data does not contain worker names. Only employer, salary, and job details are shown.

Hiring Activity

Full tracker →

Filing volume has declined significantly, down 33% from the prior year. This can signal reduced hiring, a shift in workforce strategy, or business contraction.

Hiring Locations

MA 89 AZ 9 AR 2

Education Requirements

From PERM filings

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Advertising disclosure

Source: US Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) public disclosure files (PERM Form ETA-9089 and LCA Form ETA-9035), and US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Salary figures represent employer filings and government survey estimates, not individual worker pay.

Data covers DOL filings from 2011 to 2025.

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory - Astronomers