Aeronautical engineer salary at NASA in 2026
NASA aeronautical engineers work on some of the most advanced flight research in the world — from X-plane design to supersonic transport, from autonomous air traffic management to advanced rotorcraft. Their salaries follow the federal General Schedule (GS) pay system, with significant variation based on grade, step, and locality.
This guide breaks down what NASA pays aeronautical engineers at every career stage, which centers hire the most, and how locality adjustments affect your take-home pay.
GS pay scale for aeronautical engineers
NASA aeronautical engineers are classified under the 0861 Aerospace Engineering series (which covers both aeronautical and astronautical specialties) on the General Schedule. The GS scale has 15 grades, each with 10 steps.
Typical career progression
| Career Stage | GS Grade | Base Salary | With Locality (DC area) | Years Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New graduate (BS) | GS-7 | $39,576 | $52,912 | 0 |
| New graduate (MS) | GS-9 | $48,440 | $64,764 | 0-1 |
| Early career | GS-11 | $58,686 | $78,459 | 1-3 |
| Mid-career | GS-12 | $70,312 | $93,996 | 3-7 |
| Experienced | GS-13 | $83,622 | $111,792 | 7-12 |
| Senior/Lead | GS-14 | $98,820 | $132,103 | 12-18 |
| Principal/Chief | GS-15 | $116,200 | $155,332 | 18+ |
GS-15 Step 10 is capped at $197,200 in high-locality areas.
Locality pay adjustments
Federal locality pay adds 15-45% on top of base salary depending on the geographic area. The centers where most aeronautical engineers work:
| NASA Center | Locality Area | Adjustment | GS-13 Step 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armstrong (Edwards AFB, CA) | Los Angeles | 35.15% | $120,854 |
| Langley (Hampton, VA) | Virginia Beach | 26.03% | $112,709 |
| Glenn (Cleveland, OH) | Cleveland | 22.90% | $109,913 |
| Ames (Moffett Field, CA) | San Jose | 44.15% | $128,911 |
| Headquarters (DC) | DC-Baltimore | 33.94% | $119,773 |
NASA vs other employers
| Employer | Aeronautical Engineer (mid-career) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NASA (GS-13) | $84K–$130K (with locality) | Federal benefits, pension, stability |
| Boeing | $95K–$145K | Larger salary range, bonus potential |
| Lockheed Martin | $90K–$140K | Defense focus, clearance premium |
| SpaceX | $100K–$160K + equity | Higher base but more hours |
Where NASA hires aeronautical engineers
Aeronautical engineering at NASA is concentrated at specific centers:
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (Edwards, CA)
The primary aeronautical research center. Armstrong tests experimental aircraft, develops flight research techniques, and operates NASA's fleet of research aircraft. Aeronautical engineers here work on:
- X-plane programs (X-59 QueSST, future X-planes)
- Autonomous flight research
- Structural loads monitoring
- Flutter and aeroelastic testing
- Supersonic and hypersonic flight research
NASA Langley Research Center (Hampton, VA)
The oldest NASA center and a major hub for aeronautical research. Work includes:
- Computational aerodynamics (wind tunnel and CFD correlation)
- Advanced materials and structures for aircraft
- Entry, descent, and landing research
- Wind tunnel testing (including the National Transonic Facility)
NASA Glenn Research Center (Cleveland, OH)
Focuses on propulsion and power systems:
- Aircraft engine research (noise reduction, efficiency, electrification)
- Icing research (world-class icing wind tunnel)
- Advanced propulsion concepts
NASA Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, CA)
Advanced computing and simulation:
- CFD and computational aeroacoustics
- Air traffic management research
- Rotorcraft aeromechanics
- Autonomous systems
NASA uses the same 0861 job series for both specialties, so the pay is identical. The difference is in the work — aeronautical engineers at NASA focus on atmospheric flight (aircraft, rotorcraft, UAVs) while astronautical engineers focus on spaceflight (spacecraft, launch vehicles, orbital mechanics). Most NASA centers have both, but Armstrong and Langley lean aeronautical while JSC and GSFC lean astronautical.
Benefits beyond salary
Federal employees at NASA receive a comprehensive benefits package that adds 30-40% to the effective compensation:
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| FERS pension | 1% of high-3 salary per year of service (1.1% if retiring at 62+) |
| TSP (401k equivalent) | 5% automatic match; access to low-cost index funds |
| Health insurance (FEHB) | Government pays 70-75% of premium |
| Paid leave | 13-26 days/year depending on tenure |
| Sick leave | 13 days/year (unlimited accrual) |
| Federal holidays | 11 days/year |
| Student loan repayment | Up to $10,000/year (select positions) |
| Flexible schedule | AWS (compressed, flex, telework options) |
The pension alone is worth $15,000-$40,000/year in retirement, making the total compensation significantly higher than the salary alone suggests.
How to get hired
Education requirements
- Minimum: BS in aerospace, mechanical, or closely related engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Competitive: MS or PhD with thesis in aerodynamics, flight mechanics, structures, or propulsion
- Pathways program: New graduates should apply through the NASA Pathways Recent Graduate program for GS-7 or GS-9 positions
Application tips
- Apply on USAJobs.gov — all NASA positions are posted there
- Your resume must follow federal format (longer than private sector, detailed duties)
- Include GPA if recent graduate (NASA screens on GPA for entry-level)
- Highlight any co-op or internship experience at NASA or federal labs
- US citizenship required for all civil servant positions
The hiring timeline
NASA federal hiring is slower than private industry:
- Application to interview: 4-8 weeks
- Interview to tentative offer: 2-4 weeks
- Tentative offer to firm offer: 2-6 weeks (background check)
- Total: 2-4 months is typical
Browse NASA positions on Zero G Talent, or see our NASA salary overview and NASA software engineer salary guide.
