Astronomers vs Biochemists and Biophysicists: Similar Pay, 7.8% vs 12.3% Growth

Astronomers vs Biochemists and Biophysicists: what changes?

Consider Astronomers if you want to observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems. Consider Biochemists and Biophysicists if you would rather study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. Both list doctoral or professional degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Astronomers and Biochemists and Biophysicists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Astronomers

National median pay (2025): $128,820
Route into the job: Doctoral or professional degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 100

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (2,400 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Astronomers brief

Biochemists and Biophysicists

National median pay (2025): $127,410
Route into the job: Doctoral or professional degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 2,900

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Biochemists and Biophysicists brief

How the national numbers differ

Biochemists and Biophysicists has the edge on annual openings

Biochemists and Biophysicists is at 2,900 annual openings, compared with 100 annual openings for Astronomers.

Biochemists and Biophysicists has the edge on projected growth

Biochemists and Biophysicists is at 12.3% projected growth, compared with 7.8% projected growth for Astronomers.

National pay benchmarks are very similar.

Compare actual offers, expected paid hours, schedule, and benefits before treating either career as the higher-paying option.

50.6/ 100

Astronomers

64.4/ 100

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence