Average Pay at NASA in 2026
NASA employs over 18,000 civil servants across ten field centers, headquarters, and supporting facilities. From entry-level technicians to senior scientists and program managers, the agency's workforce spans hundreds of job types, all paid through the federal General Schedule (GS) system. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of average pay at NASA in 2026, broken down by job type, GS grade, and center location, with a comparison to contractor pay.
Overall average salary at NASA
The average NASA civil servant salary in 2026 is approximately $104,600 per year. This figure reflects the full range of positions from administrative assistants at GS-5 through senior executives at SES levels. The average is pulled upward by the large number of engineers and scientists at GS-12 through GS-15 who form the core of NASA's technical workforce.
| Job Category | Average Salary | Typical GS Range | Share of Workforce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers | $125,000 | GS-12 to GS-15 | ~35% |
| Scientists / researchers | $130,000 | GS-13 to GS-15 | ~15% |
| IT specialists | $110,000 | GS-11 to GS-14 | ~8% |
| Program/project managers | $140,000 | GS-14 to GS-15 | ~10% |
| Technicians | $65,000 | GS-7 to GS-11 | ~10% |
| Administrative / support | $58,000 | GS-5 to GS-9 | ~12% |
| Astronauts | $100,300 – $161,000 | GS-12 to GS-14 | <1% |
| Senior Executive Service (SES) | $165,000 – $212,000 | SES | ~2% |
The GS pay scale explained
Every NASA civil servant position is assigned a GS grade from 1 to 15, with 10 steps within each grade. The 2026 GS scale incorporates an approximately 1 percent overall pay adjustment from 2025. Locality pay percentages remain the same as 2025.
2026 GS base pay at key grades (Step 1 and Step 10)
| GS Grade | Step 1 Base | Step 10 Base | Common NASA Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $35,300 | $45,900 | Administrative assistant, clerk |
| GS-7 | $44,800 | $58,300 | Entry engineer (BS), technician |
| GS-9 | $54,800 | $71,300 | Entry engineer (MS), analyst |
| GS-11 | $66,400 | $86,300 | Engineer (career ladder), IT specialist |
| GS-12 | $76,463 | $99,400 | Full-performance engineer, scientist |
| GS-13 | $90,925 | $118,200 | Lead engineer, branch technical lead |
| GS-14 | $107,400 | $139,600 | Senior engineer, branch chief |
| GS-15 | $126,300 | $176,300 | Division chief, program manager |
Locality pay adjustments
Base pay is adjusted by a locality percentage based on the geographic area of the NASA center. Here are the 2026 locality rates for major NASA locations:
| NASA Center | Locality Area | Locality Rate | GS-12/1 with Locality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames Research Center | San Jose-SF-Oakland | 44.15% | $110,200 |
| JPL | Los Angeles | 35.15% | $103,300 |
| Johnson Space Center | Houston | 35.04% | $103,200 |
| Goddard Space Flight Center | Washington-Baltimore | 33.94% | $102,400 |
| Langley Research Center | Virginia Beach-Norfolk | 30.34% | $99,700 |
| Glenn Research Center | Cleveland | 26.60% | $96,800 |
| Marshall Space Flight Center | Huntsville | 24.69% | $95,300 |
| Kennedy Space Center | Melbourne-Palm Bay | 22.10% | $93,300 |
| Stennis Space Center | Rest of U.S. | 17.91% | $90,100 |
Pay by job type
Engineers
Engineering is the largest job category at NASA, accounting for roughly 35 percent of the civil servant workforce. Aerospace engineers (series 0861) are the most common, but NASA also employs mechanical, electrical, computer, chemical, and civil engineers.
- Entry-level (GS-7/9): $60,000 – $82,000 with locality
- Full-performance (GS-12): $93,000 – $133,000 with locality
- Senior (GS-14/15): $130,000 – $204,000 with locality
For a detailed breakdown of aerospace engineer pay specifically, see our NASA aerospace engineer salary guide.
Scientists and researchers
Astronomers, physicists, planetary scientists, and Earth scientists typically enter at GS-12 or GS-13 after completing a PhD and postdoctoral work. Senior researchers reach GS-14 and GS-15.
- Postdoctoral fellows (NPP): $72,000 – $90,000 (flat stipend)
- Early career (GS-12/13): $100,000 – $158,000 with locality
- Senior (GS-14/15): $140,000 – $204,000 with locality
Learn more about research salaries in our NASA astronomer salary guide.
Astronauts
NASA astronauts are civil servants paid on the GS scale. New astronaut candidates start as GS-12 Step 1, earning approximately $100,300 per year (with Houston locality). Veteran astronauts typically hold GS-14 positions earning $140,000 to $161,000. The astronaut corps is small (approximately 44 active astronauts) and selection is extremely competitive, with tens of thousands applying for each class.
Technicians
Engineering and science technicians perform hands-on work including hardware fabrication, testing, and laboratory support. These roles typically require associate degrees or vocational training and fall at GS-7 to GS-11.
- Entry (GS-7): $53,000 – $60,000 with locality
- Experienced (GS-9/11): $65,000 – $95,000 with locality
NASA civil servant pay vs. contractor pay
A large portion of NASA's workforce consists of contractor employees from companies like Jacobs, KBR, Leidos, SAIC, and Peraton. Understanding the civil servant vs. contractor pay distinction is important for anyone considering a NASA-related career.
| Factor | NASA Civil Servant | NASA Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Average salary (engineering) | $125,000 | $95,000 – $120,000 |
| Retirement | FERS pension + TSP (5% match) | 401(k) (3-6% match typical) |
| Job security | Very high | Contract-dependent |
| Health insurance | FEHB (72% employer-paid) | Varies by contractor |
| Paid leave | 13-26 days + 13 sick days | Typically 15-20 days PTO |
| Hiring speed | 3-6 months typical | 2-6 weeks typical |
| Mobility | Can transfer between centers | Tied to specific contract |
Benefits that increase total compensation
NASA's federal benefits package adds an estimated 30 to 45 percent in value above base salary:
- FERS Basic Benefit Plan: A defined-benefit pension paying 1 percent (or 1.1 percent if retiring at 62+ with 20 years) of your highest three-year average salary per year of service. An engineer with 30 years of service and a high-3 average of $150,000 receives $45,000 to $49,500 per year in retirement.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): The federal 401(k) equivalent. NASA contributes 1 percent automatically and matches up to 4 percent of employee contributions, for a total government contribution of 5 percent.
- Health insurance: Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program with the government covering approximately 72 percent of premiums. Plans range from basic to comprehensive.
- Life insurance: Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) with employer-paid basic coverage.
- Paid leave: 13 days of annual leave for the first 3 years of service, increasing to 20 days (3-15 years) and 26 days (15+ years), plus 13 sick days per year.
How pay compares to the private sector
| Role | NASA Civil Servant | SpaceX | Boeing | Lockheed Martin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry engineer | $68,000 – $85,000 | $85,000 – $105,000 | $84,000 – $100,000 | $80,000 – $95,000 |
| Mid-career engineer | $100,000 – $140,000 | $130,000 – $175,000 | $120,000 – $155,000 | $115,000 – $150,000 |
| Senior engineer | $140,000 – $176,000 | $165,000 – $200,000+ | $155,000 – $190,000 | $150,000 – $185,000 |
NASA base salaries are typically 10 to 20 percent lower than equivalent private-sector positions. However, when FERS pension value, TSP matching, and subsidized health insurance are included, total compensation is competitive with or slightly below defense contractors, and within 10 percent of commercial space companies for most roles.
Browse current NASA-related positions on our space industry job board or explore specific companies hiring for NASA programs like Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary at NASA in 2026?
The average NASA civil servant salary is approximately $104,600 per year across all positions. Engineers average about $125,000, scientists about $130,000, and program managers about $140,000. Administrative and support roles average $55,000 to $65,000.
Do NASA employees get paid well compared to the private sector?
NASA base salaries are slightly below equivalent private-sector positions, typically by 10 to 20 percent. However, NASA's pension, TSP matching, health insurance subsidies, and paid leave add 30 to 45 percent in value above base pay, making total compensation competitive with most aerospace employers.
How much do NASA astronauts make?
NASA astronauts start at GS-12, earning approximately $100,300 per year with Houston locality pay. Veteran astronauts at GS-14 earn $140,000 to $161,000. Astronauts receive the same benefits as other NASA civil servants.
Is it better to work at NASA as a civil servant or contractor?
Civil servant positions offer higher salaries, stronger benefits (pension, TSP matching), greater job security, and the ability to transfer between NASA centers. Contractor positions are faster to obtain and can provide a pathway to eventual civil servant conversion. Many successful NASA civil servants began their careers as contractors.
What GS level are most NASA employees?
The majority of NASA's technical workforce (engineers and scientists) falls between GS-12 and GS-14. GS-12 is the "full performance" level for most engineering positions. Program managers and senior leaders are typically GS-14 to GS-15 or in the Senior Executive Service (SES). See our NASA aerospace engineer salary guide for grade-by-grade details.
