Engineer at NASA salary in 2026: grade-by-grade breakdown
$58K–$197K
Total Range
$108K
Median (GS-12)
10 Centers
NASA Locations
NASA engineers are federal employees paid on the General Schedule (GS). Your salary is determined by three factors: grade (GS-7 through GS-15), step (1-10 within each grade), and locality pay (a percentage bump based on your center's metro area).
Quick salary lookup
| Grade | Typical Title | Houston (35%) | DC Area (34%) | Huntsville (22%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-7 | Junior Engineer | $57,900 | $57,200 | $52,300 |
| GS-9 | Engineer | $70,900 | $70,000 | $64,000 |
| GS-11 | Engineer | $85,800 | $84,700 | $77,400 |
| GS-12 | Senior Engineer | $102,800 | $101,600 | $92,800 |
| GS-13 | Lead Engineer | $122,300 | $120,800 | $110,400 |
| GS-14 | Branch Head | $144,500 | $142,700 | $130,400 |
| GS-15 | Division Chief | $169,900 | $167,900 | $153,400 |
All figures are Step 1. Each grade has 10 steps — Step 10 pays roughly 30% more than Step 1 at the same grade.
Career progression timeline
Most NASA engineers follow this path:
- Years 0-2: GS-7 or GS-9 (entry with bachelor's or master's)
- Years 2-5: GS-11 to GS-12 (promotion every 1-2 years)
- Years 5-10: GS-12 to GS-13 (many stay at GS-13)
- Years 10+: GS-14 (selective), GS-15 (competitive, limited slots)
The GS-12 to GS-13 jump is where many engineers spend most of their career. GS-14 and above typically require management or specialized technical leadership roles.
Beyond base pay
Federal benefits add significant value:
- FERS pension — 1% of high-3 average salary × years of service (1.1% if retiring at 62+ with 20+ years)
- TSP — Government 401(k) with 5% employer match
- FEHB — Subsidized health insurance (government pays ~75% of premium)
- Annual/sick leave — 13-26 days annual leave + 13 days sick leave
For detailed center-by-center breakdowns, see our NASA engineer salary guide. Browse NASA positions on Zero G Talent.
