If you want to work in the astronomy field, what types of jobs are available to you? How much would you earn per year? Descriptions or links, if possible, would be appreciated.

Major in physics or astronomy as an undergraduate, then spend 5-6 years in graduate school working on a Ph.D. and racking in debts. Leave grad school around age 28, spend two years as a post-doctoral fellow (salary around $40,000), then maybe another two years as a post-doctoral fellow. Apply for many jobs -- the ratio of applicants to positions available as university professors in astronomy is around 20:1, at a guess. If you succeed, you'll start your "real" job in your early to mid thirties. The starting salaries of academics has a very large range -- maybe $30,000 to $60,000, depending on the school.

Some academic astronomers spend most of their time writing grant proposals and telling grad students how to do the research they don't have time to do themselves. Others spend most of their time teaching classes. Very few spend most of their time doing "astronomy."

(And yes, I'm one of these uncommon creatures)

StupendousMan gives you a pretty broadly brushed view but is basically correct. I did not rack up any debts while in graduate school (though I saved no money either). The path one takes may depend highly on what specific subfield you are interested in, what institution you go to, who your advisor is, and if any good projects get handed to you or you have to fend for yourself.

Do you have more specific questions? It's difficult to know what information you're really looking for from such a general inquiry.

This makes me sad, but I always wanted to major in astronomy, but the facts and -- most especially -- people's discouraging opinions defeated me. I'm now a computer science major. And I hope to God that I can go for astronomy graduate school with my to-gain CS degree. Even though I highly doubt it.

Anyway, StupendousMan summed it all up fairly well.

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"Science is physics and astronomy." -Me
"There is absolutely no law in physics that prevents time travel." -Dr. Michio Kaku

Fiery. You might like this at ~50,000....SEE:http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/cf/

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A third rate theory forbids.
A second rate theory explains after the fact.
A first rate theory predicts.
A. Lomonosov

Although StupendousMan's comment feels correct in spirit (it's job application time!), the situation isn't necessarily that bleak. I haven't racked up debt during graduate school, but I haven't saved much money either. Travis Metcalfe's The Production Rate and Employment of Ph.D. Astronomers is a good read, putting together some useful numbers. Also, So you want to be a professional astronomer! by Duncan Forbes is a good read, if you want to know about the details.

Many people who get astronomy-related degrees end up working for private companies (e.g. aerospace, financial firms, information technology). The toolset that one acquires during an astronomy education is fairly broadly applicable. To get a degree requires skills in writing, public speaking, math, physics, computer science, critical thinking and social interaction.

Of course, one can also develop many of those skills without the ~6 years of painful graduate study...

__________________
"What do you care what other people think?" -- Richard Feynman
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled." -- Feynman, at the conclusion of his Challenger report

Bless you for your noble efforts...too bad the ratio of soldiers etc to astronomers wasn't reversed on this planet (and universe).

Sincerely.

Astronomy careers have many benefits that go far beyond mere job description.
Astronomers (including astronomy graduate students) frequently travel to observatories, to conferences, and to collaborate with colleagues. They build up networks of friends around the world. They may communicate their knowledge and enthusiasm to students and the public, through books and articles, lectures, and face-to-face interaction. And there is satisfaction in knowing that, in their chosen way, they are advancing humankind's understanding of the universe.

Those astronomers who develop theories use computers ranging in size from laptops to nationwide networks. These "theorists" work closely with those astronomers that focus on observing the universe. Some of these "observers" may travel to exotic places on Earth to use radio, millimetre, or optical and infrared telescopes. Other observers use satellite observatories, for example, to detect ultraviolet and X-ray radiation which is absorbed by our atmosphere. The whole electromagnetic spectrum is available to astronomers and each part of the spectrum, not only reveals different aspects of the universe, but each has its own characteristic, fascinating style of telescope operation.