Astronomers
Machines can already do 50% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 74%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Astronomers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 50% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 38% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 74% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 2,120 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $128,820 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 53% for contact with people.
- Also called: Astronomer, Astronomy Outreach Coordinator, Astrophysicist, Research Astrophysicist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers | 18% | 82% to 97% | |
| Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals | 13% | 70% to 95% | |
| Teach astronomy or astrophysics | 10% | 25% to 55% | |
| Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments | 8% | 85% to 97% | |
| Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects | 7% | 30% to 60% | |
| Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Raise funds for scientific research | 6% | 70% to 95% | |
| Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues | 5% | 22% to 48% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills astronomers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $98,920
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- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $84,620
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Astronomers?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of astronomers?
Machines can do 50% of the tasks of astronomers today and 74% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-2011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Astronomers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/astronomers/