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W. M. Keck Observatory salary estimate

$52,955yearly

$25.46 hourly rate

Entry-level salary
$28,000 yearly salary
Updated December 15, 2025

W. M. Keck Observatory Salary Overview

The W. M. Keck Observatory offers a diverse range of salaries that reflect the varying responsibilities across its departments. The average salary for employees at the observatory is $52,955, but this figure can differ markedly based on specific roles. For instance, those working in the engineering department enjoy the highest compensation, averaging around $79,371 per year. Similarly, finance department employees earn a respectable average of $75,739.

Salary Breakdown by Department

In contrast, employees in customer service and facilities departments earn significantly lower salaries, averaging $37,891 and $36,907 respectively. Understanding these salary dynamics is crucial for prospective employees considering a position at the observatory.

Comparative Salaries

A comparison with similar organizations reveals that competitors such as National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and AURA have average salaries of $70,623 and $70,524, respectively. These figures illustrate the competitive landscape of salaries in the field.

For job seekers, grasping these details can aid in making informed career decisions and understanding the financial landscape associated with different roles.

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W. M. Keck Observatory salaries by department

Salaries at W. M. Keck Observatory vary depending on the department you work in. W. M. Keck Observatory salaries in the engineering department are the highest with an average salary of $79,371. Employees in the finance department at W. M. Keck Observatory receive relatively high salaries as well, with an average salary of $75,739 per year. Departments that don't pay as well at W. M. Keck Observatory include the facilities and the customer service organizational functions, with employees earning average salaries of $36,907 and $37,891, respectively.

Average W. M. Keck Observatory salary by department

RankDepartmentAverage W. M. Keck Observatory salaryHourly rate
1Engineering$79,371$38.16
2Finance$75,739$36.41
3IT$74,443$35.79
4Plant/Manufacturing$54,408$26.16
5Administrative$44,862$21.57
6Customer Service$37,892$18.22
7Facilities$36,908$17.74

W. M. Keck Observatory competitors’ average salaries

Average salaries at W. M. Keck Observatory competitors, like National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, AURA, and National Radio Astronomy Observatory, vary. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory employees earn the highest salaries, with an average yearly salary of $70,623. The average salary at AURA is $70,524 per year, and the average salary at National Radio Astronomy Observatory is $69,689 per year.

Highest paying W. M. Keck Observatory competitors

Recently added W. M. Keck Observatory salaries

JobLocationDate addedSalary
Chief Engineer & Operations OfficerHI04/16/2025$179,550
Community Engagement Manager: Education & WorkforceHI04/11/2025$93,104
Senior HR Business PartnerHI04/11/2025$101,694
Infrastructure TechnicianHI03/28/2025$62,902
Senior HR Business PartnerHI03/28/2025$101,694

Frequently asked questions about W. M. Keck Observatory salaries

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Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of W. M. Keck Observatory, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about W. M. Keck Observatory. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at W. M. Keck Observatory. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by W. M. Keck Observatory. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of W. M. Keck Observatory and its employees or that of Zippia.

W. M. Keck Observatory may also be known as or be related to CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH IN, Keck telescope and W. M. Keck Observatory.