Average NASA salary in 2026
NASA employs roughly 17,000 civil servants doing everything from answering phones at headquarters to designing the heat shield that will protect astronauts returning from Mars. The average NASA salary in 2026 is $104,629, but that number blends administrative assistants earning $45,000 with senior scientists earning $180,000. To understand what NASA actually pays, you need to break it down by role, grade, and center.
NASA salary ranges by role type
NASA hires far more than just engineers and astronauts. The agency has administrative staff, IT specialists, budget analysts, public affairs officers, lawyers, procurement specialists, scientists, and managers. Each category has its own pay patterns within the GS system.
| Role Category | Typical GS Grades | Salary Range (2026) | Avg Salary | % of Workforce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative support | GS-5 to GS-9 | $42,700 - $84,800 | $58,000 | ~12% |
| IT specialists | GS-9 to GS-13 | $64,700 - $145,900 | $98,000 | ~8% |
| Budget/finance analysts | GS-9 to GS-13 | $64,700 - $145,900 | $95,000 | ~6% |
| Procurement/contracting | GS-9 to GS-14 | $64,700 - $172,200 | $105,000 | ~7% |
| Scientists (all fields) | GS-11 to GS-15 | $78,300 - $202,400 | $125,000 | ~18% |
| Engineers (all fields) | GS-7 to GS-15 | $52,800 - $202,400 | $115,800 | ~35% |
| Program/project managers | GS-13 to GS-15 | $111,500 - $202,400 | $145,000 | ~10% |
| Senior Executive Service | SES | $195,000 - $230,700 | $210,000 | ~1% |
| Astronauts | GS-13 to GS-15 | $111,500 - $202,400 | $152,000 | <0.5% |
Engineers make up the largest single group at roughly 35% of NASA's workforce. Scientists (astrophysicists, planetary scientists, materials scientists, etc.) are the next largest technical group. The non-technical support functions (admin, IT, budget, procurement, legal, HR) collectively account for about a third of the workforce.
The wide salary range reflects the breadth of the GS scale. A GS-5 Step 1 administrative assistant at Stennis Space Center (low locality) earns $42,700. A GS-15 Step 10 engineer at Ames Research Center (highest locality at 45.25%) earns over $235,000. Both are "average NASA salary" data points.
GS-5 through Senior Executive Service: the full ladder
The GS system has 15 grades plus the Senior Executive Service (SES) above it. Here is how salary progresses from the bottom to the top of NASA's pay structure:
| Grade | Step 1 (Base) | Step 10 (Base) | With 25% Locality (Step 5 mid) | Typical NASA Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $36,440 | $44,580 | $49,900 | Admin assistant, intern (converted) |
| GS-7 | $45,150 | $55,180 | $61,330 | Entry engineer/scientist (BS) |
| GS-9 | $55,240 | $67,530 | $75,310 | Engineer/scientist (MS or 1yr exp) |
| GS-11 | $66,830 | $81,690 | $91,490 | Early career professional |
| GS-12 | $80,090 | $97,920 | $109,670 | Full performance engineer/scientist |
| GS-13 | $95,270 | $116,450 | $130,440 | Senior professional, team lead |
| GS-14 | $112,580 | $137,620 | $154,130 | Branch head, principal engineer |
| GS-15 | $132,440 | $161,900 | $181,430 | Division chief, senior technical |
| SES | $195,000 | $230,700 | N/A (own scale) | Center director, associate admin |
The 25% locality column represents a middle-ground locality area (close to Huntsville or Cleveland). High-cost areas like San Francisco, DC, and Houston add 34-45% instead of 25%, which pushes even GS-12 salaries above $100,000.
A key point about NASA's pay structure: it is compressed at the top. The statutory cap on GS pay means that GS-15 Step 10 in a high-locality area cannot exceed the SES minimum ($195,000 in 2026). This creates a "pay ceiling" where very senior technical employees in expensive cities hit a wall that does not exist in the private sector.
Average salary by NASA center
Each NASA center has a distinct locality adjustment, which means the same grade and step pays differently depending on where you work.
| Center | City | Locality Rate | Avg Salary (all roles) | Highest-Volume Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames Research Center | Moffett Field, CA | 45.25% | $128,000 | GS-13 |
| Jet Propulsion Lab* | Pasadena, CA | 37.58% | $132,000 | N/A (Caltech scale) |
| Goddard Space Flight Center | Greenbelt, MD | 33.94% | $120,000 | GS-13 |
| Johnson Space Center | Houston, TX | 36.79% | $118,000 | GS-13 |
| Langley Research Center | Hampton, VA | 27.37% | $108,000 | GS-13 |
| Glenn Research Center | Cleveland, OH | 25.51% | $106,000 | GS-12 |
| Marshall Space Flight Center | Huntsville, AL | 24.06% | $105,000 | GS-13 |
| Kennedy Space Center | Merritt Island, FL | 17.06% | $95,000 | GS-12 |
| Stennis Space Center | Bay St. Louis, MS | 17.06% | $92,000 | GS-12 |
| Armstrong Flight Research | Edwards, CA | 27.46% | $110,000 | GS-13 |
*JPL employees are Caltech employees and not on the GS scale. Their average salary tends to be higher than equivalent GS positions.
The difference between Ames ($128,000 average) and Stennis ($92,000 average) reflects locality pay more than actual role differences. However, center mission and workforce composition also play a role. Ames and Goddard have higher proportions of senior scientists and software engineers, while KSC has more operations and support roles at lower grades.
The value of NASA benefits beyond salary
The average NASA salary of $104,629 does not include the substantial benefits package that all federal employees receive. These benefits have real dollar value that should be factored into any compensation comparison.
| Benefit | Estimated Annual Value | Details |
|---|---|---|
| FERS basic pension | $8,000 - $15,000 accrued/yr | 1% per year of service x high-3 avg salary |
| TSP employer match | $5,200 - $10,000/yr | Up to 5% match into low-cost index funds |
| FEHB health insurance | $12,000 - $18,000/yr | Government pays ~72% of premiums |
| FEDVIP dental/vision | $500 - $1,500/yr | Subsidized group rates |
| FEGLI life insurance | $500 - $2,000/yr | Basic coverage = salary + $2,000 |
| Paid leave value | $6,000 - $15,000/yr | 13-26 vacation days + 13 sick + 11 holidays |
| Student loan repayment | Up to $10,000/yr | For qualifying positions |
| Total benefits value | $32,200 - $71,500/yr | — |
Adding benefits value to the average salary of $104,629 brings total compensation to roughly $137,000-$176,000. This is a more accurate number to use when comparing NASA pay with private sector offers.
The FERS pension deserves special attention. An employee who works at NASA for 30 years with a high-3 average salary of $150,000 receives a pension of $45,000 per year for life, with cost-of-living adjustments. In the private sector, you would need roughly $1.1 million in retirement savings to generate that same income. The pension alone is worth planning around.
How NASA salaries have changed over time
The GS pay system increases annually based on two factors: an across-the-board raise (set by Congress or the President) and locality pay adjustments. In recent years:
| Year | Across-the-Board Raise | Locality Change | Effective Avg Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.2% | Updated | ~2.7% |
| 2023 | 4.6% | Updated | ~5.2% |
| 2024 | 5.2% | Updated | ~5.5% |
| 2025 | 2.0% | Updated | ~2.5% |
| 2026 | 1.0% | Frozen | ~1.0% |
The 2023 and 2024 raises were the largest in decades, reflecting both inflation and pressure to keep federal salaries competitive. The 2026 raise of just 1% with frozen locality rates is notably lower and has drawn criticism from federal employee unions who argue it does not keep pace with private sector salary growth.
For context, SpaceX and Blue Origin have increased engineering salaries by 5-8% annually over the same period. The gap between federal and private sector aerospace pay has been widening, which is part of why NASA has reported increasing difficulty attracting early-career talent.
Who earns the most and least at NASA
The highest-paid NASA employees are center directors and other Senior Executive Service members, with salaries up to $230,700. The agency administrator, who is a political appointee, earns at the Executive Schedule Level II rate of approximately $215,000 (below some SES members).
NASA's highest-earning technical employees are Distinguished Scientists (ST positions) and NASA Engineering Fellows, who can earn at SES-equivalent pay levels. These are extremely rare positions, usually fewer than 20 across the entire agency.
The lowest-paid NASA employees are entry-level administrative and clerical staff at GS-3 to GS-5 in low-locality areas, earning $35,000-$45,000. These positions are increasingly rare as NASA automates and consolidates administrative functions.
Explore NASA-related positions and roles at companies that support NASA on Zero G Talent, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and other NASA contractors.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average NASA salary in 2026?
The average across all NASA civil servants is $104,629. This includes all roles from administrative support to senior scientists and astronauts. Engineers average $115,818, scientists average about $125,000, and administrative roles average around $58,000. The wide range reflects the diversity of jobs at the agency.
How much do NASA astronauts make?
Active astronauts are paid on the GS scale at grades GS-13 through GS-15, earning between $111,500 and $202,400 depending on experience, step, and duty station. The average astronaut salary is approximately $152,000. Astronauts receive the same benefits as all other NASA civil servants: pension, health insurance, TSP matching, and leave.
Is working at NASA worth it financially?
For pure salary maximization, no. Private sector aerospace companies pay more, especially at mid-career and senior levels. But NASA's total compensation (salary + pension + benefits) is competitive through the mid-career range. The pension alone can be worth over $1 million in equivalent retirement savings over a 30-year career. Whether it is "worth it" depends on whether you value long-term financial security and mission-driven work over maximizing current income.
Do NASA contractors earn more than NASA civil servants?
At the entry and mid-career levels, contractor salaries are often 10-20% higher than GS equivalents for the same work. At the senior level, the gap can be larger because contractors are not bound by the GS-15 cap. However, contractors typically have weaker benefits packages, less job security (contracts end), and no federal pension. The total compensation comparison is closer than base salary alone suggests.
Can you live comfortably on a NASA salary?
Yes. Even at entry level, NASA salaries exceed the median household income in every locality where a NASA center is located. A GS-12 engineer ($93,000-$122,000 depending on locality) can comfortably afford housing, transportation, and a family in any NASA center community. The lifestyle may not match tech industry salaries in Silicon Valley, but it provides genuine financial stability with exceptional long-term benefits.
