Las Cumbres Observatory Salary

As of July 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Las Cumbres Observatory in the United States is $100,037. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $48. Salaries at Las Cumbres Observatory typically range from $87,869 to $113,269 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Las Cumbres Observatory Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Las Cumbres Observatory. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Postdoctoral Fellow, with an annual salary of $167,133. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
How accurate does the salary look to you?

Current Job Openings at Las Cumbres Observatory

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Las Cumbres Observatory. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Las Cumbres Observatory’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Las Cumbres Observatory's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
ERI Services $89,711
-10.3%
Reflects market rates for standard general contracting, differing from specialized roles.
Rakudoku USA $105,374
+5.3%
Reflects a supply-demand imbalance for the specific talent Rakudoku USA targets.
California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) $103,729
+3.7%
Supported by California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI)'s high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
Northwest American International Inc $106,514
+6.5%
Data suggests Northwest American International Inc's workforce skews heavily towards veteran, high-tenure roles.
Business Services Industry $120,931
+20.9%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Las Cumbres Observatory

Considering a career at Las Cumbres Observatory? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Management communicates organizational changes, though sometimes with delays. There’s an emphasis on development and cross-functional teamwork. It’s a refreshing change from previous employers and makes a huge difference in overall job satisfaction for many of us here. Management is very understanding and supportive of personal commitments. Projects are well-managed, and collaboration is genuinely...
Processes are generally clear, and there's a good structure in place which helps in managing workloads effectively. The onboarding process was seamless, and I had access to mentors who helped guide me early on. Fair pricing, average delivery.
It’s a refreshing environment that encourages innovation while still maintaining strong structure and support. The benefits and compensation are very fair. Career growth requires patience and internal networking. This personalized support is incredibly motivating and shows that my development is a priority for the company. I’ve had the opportunity to work on high-impact projects with intelligent, ...
Work is engaging, and the collaborative culture makes even complex challenges enjoyable. Professional development is encouraged here. Whether it’s a major project launch or a work anniversary, management takes the time to acknowledge our achievements. It’s a great motivator and makes you feel like a valued part of the team.

Las Cumbres Observatory Overview

Website
www.lco.global
Founded In
1993
Employees
50 - 100 employees
Industry
Business Services
Headquarter Address
6740 Cortona Dr Goleta California CA 93117
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
+1 8058801600
Social Media
About Las Cumbres Observatory
Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) is a network of astronomical observatories run by a non-profit private operating foundation directed by the technologist Wayne Rosing. Its offices are in Goleta, California. The telescopes are located at both northern and southern hemisphere sites distributed in longitude around the Earth. For some astronomical objects, the longitudinal spacing of telescopes allows co

What Benefits Does Las Cumbres Observatory Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Las Cumbres Observatory offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
Work at Las Cumbres Observatory?
Share your experience
How Much Should You Be Earning?

Get an estimated calculation of how much you should be earning and insight into your career options.

illustration

What Is the Cost of Living Near Santa Barbara?

Understanding the cost of living near Santa Barbara is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Las Cumbres Observatory.
Santa Barbara's Cost of Living Index is approximately 204.1 (104.1% more expensive than US average; 46.0% more than CA average). 'American Riviera', extremely desirable coastal city with exceptionally high housing costs and overall high cost of living. When planning your budget based on a salary from Las Cumbres Observatory, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,800 - $4,500+ A significant portion of Las Cumbres Observatory salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $170 - $280 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $52 (MTD monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $500 - $780 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $550 - $1,100+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $440 - $830+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $4,512 - $7,492+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Las Cumbres Observatory

1. What is the average salary for employees at Las Cumbres Observatory?

The average annual total compensation for employees at Las Cumbres Observatory is approximately $100,037. However, this is an aggregate figure, actual salaries can range significantly, typically from $87,869 to $113,269, depending on factors like job role, experience, and location.

2. How much does Las Cumbres Observatory pay compared to ERI Services?

The average annual salary at Las Cumbres Observatory is $100,037, or an hourly wage of $48, in comparison to ERI Services which pays $89,711 per year or $43 per hour.

3. What is the lowest salary at Las Cumbres Observatory?

The lowest-paying job at Las Cumbres Observatory is a Mechanical Engineer with a salary of $103,682 per year. The lowest- paying job depends heavily on the specific role, location, whether it's an hourly or salaried position, and if it's full-time, part-time, or an internship. Generally, entry-level positions might represent the lower end of the pay scale.

4. How does having a professional certification impact salary for relevant roles at Las Cumbres Observatory?

Professional certifications like PMP (for Project Managers), CPA (for Accountants), or another relevant certification for the industry can often lead to higher salaries and better job prospects at Las Cumbres Observatory for applicable roles. Certifications demonstrate a verified level of expertise and commitment to a profession, making candidates more competitive.

5. Does Las Cumbres Observatory offer cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for employees in high-cost areas like Santa Barbara?

While some companies offer formal COLA, many, including potentially Las Cumbres Observatory, incorporate cost of living considerations into their overall salary structure for different locations rather than as a separate, itemized adjustment. This means their base pay bands for roles in high-cost cities like New York City are generally set higher to account for these local market factors.

6. What's the typical process for salary reviews and raises at Las Cumbres Observatory?

Most companies, likely including Las Cumbres Observatory, conduct formal salary reviews annually, often tied to performance evaluations. During these reviews, factors like individual performance, meeting goals, company performance, and market adjustments are typically considered for potential salary increases.