Average salary in NASA in 2026: by job series, occupation, and grade distribution
NASA employs approximately 18,000 civil servants across ten field centers, plus several thousand more through JPL's Caltech-administered workforce. When people search for the average salary at NASA, they typically find a single number — but that number masks enormous variation across job series, occupational categories, GS grades, and center locations. An administrative specialist at Stennis earns a fundamentally different salary than a flight dynamics engineer at Johnson or a senior research physicist at Goddard.
This guide breaks down what people actually earn inside NASA in 2026, segmented by the dimensions that matter: federal job series, occupational group, GS grade distribution, and center. For the standard NASA salary overview, see our companion NASA average salary guide — this post goes deeper into the internal structure.
Overall salary distribution
NASA's civil servant workforce skews heavily toward the upper GS grades compared to most federal agencies. The technical and scientific nature of NASA's mission means that a large share of positions require advanced degrees and specialized expertise, pushing the average well above the government-wide median.
| Metric | NASA 2026 | Federal Government Average |
|---|---|---|
| Mean salary | $118,400 | $98,300 |
| Median salary | $112,000 | $87,500 |
| 25th percentile | $86,000 | $62,000 |
| 75th percentile | $148,000 | $118,000 |
| GS-13+ share | 62% | 31% |
The single most common salary bracket at NASA falls between $100,000 and $130,000, corresponding to GS-13 Steps 1–10 with locality adjustments. This is the "center of mass" of NASA's workforce — experienced engineers and scientists in mid-career.
NASA is the highest-paying civilian science agency in the federal government. The median NASA salary is roughly 28% above the federal median, driven by the high concentration of engineers, scientists, and program managers in GS-13 through GS-15 grades. Only a handful of specialized agencies (like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) have comparable pay profiles.
Salary by OPM job series
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) classifies every federal job by a numbered series. NASA's workforce spans dozens of series, but a handful dominate:
Engineering series (0800 group)
Engineers make up the largest occupational group at NASA — roughly 45% of the civil servant workforce.
| Job Series | Title | Count at NASA | Typical Grade Range | Salary Range (with locality) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0861 | Aerospace Engineering | ~4,200 | GS-12 to GS-15 | $100,000–$191,900 |
| 0855 | Electronics Engineering | ~1,400 | GS-12 to GS-15 | $98,000–$191,900 |
| 0830 | Mechanical Engineering | ~1,100 | GS-12 to GS-14 | $95,000–$184,000 |
| 0854 | Computer Engineering | ~800 | GS-12 to GS-15 | $100,000–$191,900 |
| 0801 | General Engineering | ~600 | GS-11 to GS-14 | $82,000–$175,000 |
| 0896 | Industrial Engineering | ~200 | GS-11 to GS-13 | $82,000–$155,000 |
The 0861 (Aerospace Engineering) series is NASA's largest single job series by a wide margin. Nearly one in four NASA civil servants is classified as an aerospace engineer.
Science series (1300 group)
Scientists form NASA's second-largest occupational group, concentrated at research-focused centers like Goddard, JPL, Ames, and Langley.
| Job Series | Title | Count at NASA | Typical Grade Range | Salary Range (with locality) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1301 | General Physical Science | ~1,200 | GS-12 to GS-15 | $98,000–$191,900 |
| 1330 | Astronomy/Space Science | ~600 | GS-12 to GS-15 | $98,000–$191,900 |
| 1310 | Physics | ~400 | GS-12 to GS-15 | $98,000–$191,900 |
| 1340 | Meteorology | ~200 | GS-11 to GS-14 | $82,000–$175,000 |
| 1320 | Chemistry | ~150 | GS-11 to GS-14 | $82,000–$168,000 |
Mission support and administration
Not everyone at NASA is a rocket scientist. About 25% of the workforce fills mission support roles:
| Job Series | Title | Count at NASA | Typical Grade Range | Salary Range (with locality) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2210 | IT Management | ~900 | GS-11 to GS-14 | $82,000–$175,000 |
| 0340 | Program Management | ~800 | GS-13 to GS-15 | $119,000–$191,900 |
| 1102 | Contracting | ~500 | GS-11 to GS-14 | $82,000–$175,000 |
| 0343 | Management Analyst | ~400 | GS-11 to GS-13 | $82,000–$155,000 |
| 0301 | Miscellaneous Admin | ~350 | GS-7 to GS-12 | $52,000–$130,000 |
| 1082 | Writing/Editing | ~100 | GS-9 to GS-12 | $62,000–$125,000 |
The 0340 (Program Management) series has the highest average grade at NASA. Program managers overseeing flagship missions like JWST, Artemis, or Mars Sample Return typically sit at GS-14 or GS-15 and may reach SES level. These roles require deep technical background plus demonstrated leadership — most NASA PMs started as engineers or scientists and transitioned into management after 10–15 years.
GS grade distribution inside NASA
Understanding how NASA's workforce distributes across grades is essential for salary expectations:
| GS Grade | % of NASA Workforce | Approximate Headcount | Salary Range (with avg locality ~28%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-7 to GS-9 | 8% | ~1,440 | $45,000–$82,000 |
| GS-10 to GS-11 | 10% | ~1,800 | $68,000–$109,000 |
| GS-12 | 15% | ~2,700 | $96,000–$130,000 |
| GS-13 | 27% | ~4,860 | $115,000–$155,000 |
| GS-14 | 18% | ~3,240 | $136,000–$184,000 |
| GS-15 | 12% | ~2,160 | $160,000–$191,900 |
| SES / ST / SL | 2% | ~360 | $155,000–$212,100 |
| Other (WG, etc.) | 8% | ~1,440 | Varies |
GS-13 is the modal grade at NASA — more than one in four employees sit at this level. This is the natural landing zone for experienced engineers and scientists who are not in supervisory roles. The concentration at GS-13 reflects the "journeyman" nature of the grade: most NASA technical professionals reach GS-13 within 6–10 years and may remain there for the duration of their careers unless they move into management (which opens the path to GS-14 and GS-15).
Salary by center
Each NASA center has a distinct mission focus and locality pay rate, creating meaningful salary variation:
| Center | Location | Locality Rate | Median Salary | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson (JSC) | Houston, TX | 33.21% | $122,000 | Human spaceflight, ISS, Artemis crew |
| Goddard (GSFC) | Greenbelt, MD | 33.94% | $120,000 | Earth/space science, JWST, satellites |
| JPL | Pasadena, CA | Caltech scale | $135,000 | Deep space, Mars, outer planets |
| Kennedy (KSC) | Cape Canaveral, FL | 21.37% | $105,000 | Launch ops, ground systems |
| Marshall (MSFC) | Huntsville, AL | 22.98% | $108,000 | SLS, propulsion, in-space tech |
| Langley (LaRC) | Hampton, VA | 28.95% | $112,000 | Aeronautics, atmospheric science |
| Ames (ARC) | Mountain View, CA | 46.29% | $130,000 | Astrobiology, IT, supercomputing |
| Glenn (GRC) | Cleveland, OH | 25.48% | $110,000 | Propulsion, power systems |
| Stennis (SSC) | Bay St. Louis, MS | 18.42% | $98,000 | Engine testing, Earth science |
| Armstrong (AFRC) | Edwards, CA | 22.32% | $106,000 | Flight research, hypersonics |
JPL consistently reports the highest median salary across NASA centers because it operates under Caltech's compensation system rather than the GS scale. Caltech is not bound by the federal pay cap, meaning senior scientists and engineers at JPL can earn $200,000+ while equivalent GS-15 employees at other centers are capped at $191,900. However, JPL employees do not receive federal retirement benefits (FERS pension), which partially offsets the salary premium over a career.
How contractor salaries compare
For every NASA civil servant, there are roughly 3–4 contractor employees supporting NASA's mission. Major NASA contractors include Jacobs, Leidos, KBR, SAIC, Peraton, and dozens of smaller firms. Contractor salaries vary widely:
| Role Category | Civil Servant Range | Contractor Range | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Engineer | $82K–$105K | $70K–$95K | Contractors earn less |
| Mid-Level Engineer | $110K–$155K | $95K–$145K | Contractors earn less |
| Senior Engineer | $145K–$191,900 | $130K–$195K | Roughly comparable |
| Senior Scientist | $150K–$191,900 | $140K–$210K | Contractors can exceed GS cap |
| IT Specialist | $82K–$145K | $85K–$165K | Contractors often earn more |
| Program Manager | $135K–$191,900 | $140K–$220K | Contractors exceed GS cap at senior levels |
The crossover point is around GS-14 equivalent: below that, civil servants generally earn more after accounting for benefits. Above that, contractors (especially at specialized firms) can exceed the GS pay cap.
Benefits that increase effective compensation
NASA's total compensation includes substantial non-salary components:
FERS retirement: The Federal Employees Retirement System provides a defined benefit pension (1% of high-3 average salary per year of service, or 1.1% if retiring at 62+ with 20 years). A 30-year NASA employee retiring at 62 with a high-3 average of $160,000 receives roughly $52,800/year for life.
TSP match: NASA matches TSP contributions at 5% of salary (1% automatic + 4% match). At a $120,000 salary, this is $6,000/year in employer contributions.
FEHB health insurance: The government pays 72–75% of health insurance premiums. Federal health plans are generally more affordable and comprehensive than private-sector equivalents.
Leave: 13 days/year in years 1–3, 20 days/year in years 4–15, and 26 days/year after 15 years. Plus 13 sick days/year and 11 federal holidays. Total paid time off at 15+ years is roughly 50 days/year.
When you monetize these benefits, NASA's total compensation runs 35–50% above base salary — a wider gap than most private aerospace companies.
Fastest paths to higher pay at NASA
Come in at the highest possible grade: NASA has authority to hire at GS-12 or GS-13 for candidates with relevant advanced degrees and experience. Do not accept a GS-9 offer if your qualifications justify GS-12.
Target high-locality centers: The same GS-13 Step 5 pays $137,000 at Goddard but $117,000 at Stennis. If you have center flexibility, locality pay differences compound over a career.
Pursue supervisory roles: Supervisory positions are typically one grade above the position they supervise. A supervisor of GS-13 engineers is usually GS-14, and this promotion path is faster than waiting for non-supervisory grade increases.
Use the NASA STAR awards: NASA's Special Thanks and Recognition awards provide one-time cash bonuses (up to $10,000 for individual awards) and can accelerate within-grade step increases.
Conclusion
The average salary inside NASA in 2026 is approximately $118,400 (mean) or $112,000 (median), but this single figure obscures wide variation. Aerospace engineers — NASA's largest job series — earn $100,000 to $191,900. Scientists range from $82,000 to $191,900 on the GS scale, with JPL researchers breaking above $200,000. Mission support and administrative roles start lower but still exceed federal averages. When you factor in retirement, health insurance, and leave, NASA's total compensation is 35–50% above base — making it one of the strongest total packages in the aerospace sector.
Browse current NASA positions on Zero G Talent or explore all space industry jobs. For more specific salary breakdowns, see our NASA GS pay scale guide, astrophysics salary at NASA, or our NASA average salary overview.
