Aeronautical engineering salary at NASA in 2026
NASA aeronautical engineers work on atmospheric flight research, advanced aircraft concepts, and air-breathing propulsion. They're classified under the same OPM 0861 series as aerospace engineers and paid on identical GS scales.
Salary by grade (Houston, 35% locality)
| Grade | Salary Range | Typical Profile |
|---|---|---|
| GS-7 | $58,193–$75,653 | Entry (BS) |
| GS-9 | $71,181–$92,541 | MS or 1 year |
| GS-11 | $86,123–$111,966 | 2–3 years |
| GS-12 | $103,225–$134,195 | Journey-level |
| GS-13 | $122,749–$159,575 | Senior engineer |
| GS-14 | $145,052–$188,573 | Technical lead |
| GS-15 | $170,618–$197,200 | Division chief (cap) |
Where aeronautical engineers work at NASA
Aeronautical research is concentrated at specific centers:
| Center | Focus | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Armstrong (Edwards AFB, CA) | Flight research, X-planes | Dryden Flight Research Center |
| Langley (Hampton, VA) | Wind tunnels, aerodynamics, structures | National Transonic Facility |
| Glenn (Cleveland, OH) | Propulsion, icing research | Propulsion Systems Lab |
| Ames (Mountain View, CA) | Computational aerodynamics, air traffic | Arc Jet Complex |
Armstrong and Langley have the most pure aeronautical engineering positions. JSC and KSC have fewer aeronautical roles (they're more focused on spaceflight).
Aeronautical engineers at NASA earn the same pay as aerospace engineers at the same grade — the GS system doesn't differentiate by specialty. See our NASA aerospace engineer salary guide for detailed tables by center.
Browse NASA positions on Zero G Talent, or see our NASA engineer salary guide and NASA careers guide.
