How much do NASA workers make in 2026?
NASA's workforce is not one payroll. It is three overlapping systems: roughly 17,000 civil servants on the federal General Schedule, over 40,000 contractor employees paid by companies like Jacobs, KBR, and Leidos, and about 6,000 JPL employees on Caltech's private pay scale. When people ask "how much do NASA workers make," the answer depends on which of these three tracks the worker is on.
This guide covers all three, with real salary ranges drawn from OPM pay tables, contractor job postings, and JPL hiring data for 2026.
Civil servants: the GS pay scale
NASA civil servants are federal employees paid according to the General Schedule. Every position has a grade (GS-1 through GS-15), a step (1 through 10), and a locality adjustment based on geographic area.
Here is what civil servants earn at the grades most commonly found at NASA, using the Washington-Baltimore locality rate:
| GS Grade | Step 1 (DC Locality) | Step 10 (DC Locality) | Common Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $43,646 | $56,741 | Pathways intern |
| GS-7 | $54,092 | $70,317 | Recent graduate |
| GS-9 | $66,178 | $86,029 | Entry engineer or scientist |
| GS-11 | $80,006 | $104,005 | Engineer (2-4 years experience) |
| GS-12 | $95,895 | $124,659 | Journey-level professional |
| GS-13 | $114,044 | $148,255 | Senior engineer, team lead |
| GS-14 | $134,751 | $175,178 | Branch chief, principal engineer |
| GS-15 | $158,527 | $191,900 | Division chief, senior fellow |
Above GS-15, NASA's approximately 80 Senior Executive Service members earn between $147,649 and $221,900. Senior Scientist/Engineer (ST) appointees fall in a similar range.
The median grade for NASA civil servants is GS-13, which means the average NASA civil servant earns somewhere around $120,000 to $130,000 including locality pay.
The same GS-13 Step 1 base salary of $85,508 becomes $118,005 in Washington DC, $115,483 in Houston, $124,491 in the Bay Area (NASA Ames), and approximately $105,000 in Huntsville (Marshall Space Flight Center). Your location alone can shift your paycheck by $20,000.
Contractor workers: the private-sector side of NASA
For every NASA civil servant, there are roughly two to three contractor employees working alongside them. These workers are employed by companies like Jacobs Technology, KBR, Leidos, SAIC, Peraton, and dozens of smaller firms that hold NASA service contracts.
Contractor salaries are not on the GS scale. They are set by the hiring company and influenced by the contract's labor category rates, local market conditions, and the worker's experience.
Contractor salary ranges by role
| Role | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software engineer | $70,000–$90,000 | $100,000–$140,000 | $140,000–$180,000 |
| Aerospace engineer | $65,000–$85,000 | $95,000–$135,000 | $135,000–$175,000 |
| Systems engineer | $70,000–$90,000 | $100,000–$140,000 | $140,000–$185,000 |
| Mission operations | $55,000–$75,000 | $80,000–$120,000 | $120,000–$160,000 |
| IT/Cybersecurity | $65,000–$85,000 | $95,000–$130,000 | $130,000–$170,000 |
| Technician | $45,000–$60,000 | $60,000–$85,000 | $85,000–$110,000 |
| Project manager | $80,000–$100,000 | $110,000–$150,000 | $150,000–$200,000 |
How contractor pay compares to civil servant pay
At entry level, contractors and civil servants earn similar amounts. A GS-9 civil servant and an entry-level contractor engineer both land around $65,000 to $85,000. The gap widens at senior levels. A contractor project manager can earn $200,000, while a GS-15 civil servant caps at $191,900 but gets a pension worth $30,000 to $60,000 per year in retirement.
The tradeoff: contractors earn slightly more in base salary at senior levels but lack the FERS pension, TSP match, and federal job security. Contractors also face recompete risk. When NASA rebids a contract every five to ten years, the incumbent workforce may transfer to a new company or lose their positions entirely.
Major NASA support contracts are rebid every 5-10 years. When a new company wins, they often rehire most of the incumbent workforce, but not always. Salaries may be reset, benefits change, and seniority resets. This job insecurity is the hidden cost of contractor work at NASA.
JPL workers: the Caltech pay scale
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena is operated by the California Institute of Technology under a NASA contract. JPL's roughly 6,000 employees are Caltech employees, not federal workers, and they have their own compensation structure.
JPL pay generally runs 10 to 20% higher in base salary than equivalent GS positions:
| JPL Level | Approximate Salary Range | GS Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer/Scientist I | $80,000–$105,000 | GS-9 to GS-11 |
| Engineer/Scientist II | $100,000–$135,000 | GS-11 to GS-12 |
| Engineer/Scientist III | $125,000–$165,000 | GS-12 to GS-13 |
| Senior Engineer/Scientist | $155,000–$195,000 | GS-14 to GS-15 |
| Principal/Fellow | $190,000–$220,000+ | SES equivalent |
JPL does not offer the FERS pension but has a Caltech retirement plan with employer contributions. The higher base salary partially offsets the pension difference, but over a 30-year career the FERS pension can be worth over $1 million in retirement income.
Pay by NASA center
Location determines locality adjustment, which creates meaningful salary differences even for workers at the same grade:
| Center | Location | GS-13 Step 1 | Major Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASA Headquarters | Washington, DC | $118,005 | Agency leadership, policy |
| Goddard (GSFC) | Greenbelt, MD | $118,005 | Hubble, JWST, Earth science |
| JPL | Pasadena, CA | $128,000* | Mars rovers, Europa Clipper |
| Ames (ARC) | Moffett Field, CA | $124,491 | Astrobiology, AI research |
| Johnson (JSC) | Houston, TX | $115,483 | Artemis, ISS, astronaut corps |
| Marshall (MSFC) | Huntsville, AL | $108,000 | SLS, propulsion |
| Kennedy (KSC) | Cape Canaveral, FL | $107,000 | Launch operations |
| Stennis (SSC) | Bay St. Louis, MS | $105,000 | Engine testing |
*JPL uses the Caltech pay scale, not GS. Figure shown is approximate equivalent.
Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville has one of the lowest locality rates, but Alabama's cost of living is so low that your purchasing power may exceed that of higher-locality centers. A GS-13 in Huntsville can buy a four-bedroom house for what a GS-13 in DC pays for a two-bedroom condo. Many NASA workers strategically start in Huntsville, earn promotions, then transfer to higher-locality centers if they want a bigger paycheck.
Benefits that add to total compensation
For civil servants, the benefit package adds 30 to 40% on top of base salary in long-term value:
- FERS pension: 1.0-1.1% of your high-3 average salary for each year of federal service. A 30-year career at an average salary of $130,000 yields roughly $39,000 to $43,000 per year in retirement.
- TSP with 5% match: The Thrift Savings Plan functions like a 401(k) with low-cost index funds. NASA matches up to 5% of salary.
- FEHB health insurance: The government pays about 72% of the premium. Coverage is among the best available.
- Annual and sick leave: 13 to 26 days of annual leave per year (based on service length) plus 13 days of sick leave that accumulate without limit.
- Student loan repayment: Up to $10,000 per year, capped at $60,000 over a career.
Contractor benefits vary by company. Large firms like Jacobs and KBR offer 401(k) matching (typically 3 to 6%), health insurance, and PTO, but no pension.
How much do specific types of NASA workers make?
Astronauts: Active astronauts are civil servants at GS-14 or GS-15. Their base pay ranges from $134,751 to $191,900 with locality adjustments. There is no hazard pay for spaceflight.
Flight controllers: Mission operations personnel at Johnson Space Center typically hold GS-11 to GS-13 positions. A flight controller with 5 years of experience earns approximately $100,000 to $130,000 with Houston locality.
Scientists and researchers: Research scientists range from GS-11 to GS-15, with most PhDs entering at GS-11 or GS-12 and advancing to GS-13 or GS-14 over a decade. For more detail, see our NASA scientist salary guide.
Administrative and support staff: Budget analysts, HR specialists, public affairs officers, and procurement specialists typically fall between GS-9 and GS-13, earning $66,000 to $148,000 with locality.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary for all NASA workers? Combining civil servants, contractors, and JPL employees, the overall average is approximately $110,000 to $120,000. Civil servants average slightly higher due to the concentration of GS-12 and GS-13 positions.
Do contractor workers earn more than civil servants? At senior technical and management levels, contractor salaries can exceed GS equivalents by 5 to 15%. But civil servants receive the FERS pension, which over a career adds the equivalent of $20,000 to $40,000 per year in deferred compensation.
Can NASA workers earn overtime? GS employees below GS-10 are eligible for overtime at 1.5x their hourly rate. GS-10 and above are generally overtime-exempt but may receive compensatory time off. Contractor overtime policies depend on the employing company.
Which NASA workers make the most? SES members and ST appointees at the top of the civil service, earning up to $221,900. Among contractors, program directors at large firms can earn $200,000 or more. At JPL, principal scientists and fellows can exceed $220,000.
Start your NASA career search
Browse current NASA openings and JPL positions on Zero G Talent. For the full GS pay breakdown, see our NASA employee salary guide. If you are interested in contractor roles, explore positions at Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and dozens of other companies supporting NASA missions across the space industry.
