I look at the Sunday newspaper Parade Magazine every six months when they publish their article 'What People Make' article, and I never see any scientists included among the hundreds of professions that are interviewed. Don't you think that's a bit weird? So, here is the scoop on one small profession among the thousands of scientific careers that are possible. After living on a graduate student salary of $9,000 each year for 7 years, my first real job as a professional astronomer was exciting. When I had just got my first job in astronomy at the Naval Research Lab's Space Sciences Division in Washington D.C., back in 1982, I brought home $36,000. I recall very well asking myself the first month, 'Geez. How are we going to spend all this money?' My take-home pay last year was $90,997, which serves to support my small suburban family of four in the Washington DC area in a comfortable fashion, at a standard of living similar to other professionals of my age (50 years) in this region. My family and I have no problem spending this money. So, the next time you read those Parade surveys, keep a career in astronomy in mind too!
