How much does a NASA employee make in 2026? Average salary, role breakdown, and contractor comparison
NASA's workforce is one of the most highly educated in the federal government, and its compensation reflects that. The average NASA civil servant earns approximately $104,600 per year in 2026, a figure that places NASA well above the government-wide federal average but below what many private-sector aerospace companies pay for equivalent roles. Understanding what NASA employees actually earn requires looking beyond the average — at the distribution across GS grades, the wide variation by role category, and the critical distinction between NASA's 18,000 civil servants and the roughly 50,000 contractors who perform much of the agency's day-to-day work.
This guide breaks down NASA employee compensation across all role categories, explains the GS grade distribution, compares civil servant and contractor pay, and helps you understand what you would actually earn at NASA in 2026.
Overall average salary
Multiple data sources converge on a consistent picture of NASA employee compensation in 2026:
- Average annual salary: Approximately $104,629 (based on 5,000+ salary submissions)
- Median salary: Approximately $98,000–$105,000
- Salary range: From approximately $38,000 (GS-1 equivalent, very rare) to $214,690 (Director-level)
- Average hourly equivalent: Approximately $50.30/hour
These figures represent civil servant salaries with locality adjustments included. The average is elevated by NASA's concentration of technical professionals — engineers, scientists, and IT specialists — who are predominantly employed at GS-12 and above.
NASA's average salary of ~$105K is significantly above the government-wide federal average of approximately $75,000. This is primarily because NASA employs few low-GS administrative staff relative to its technical workforce. Approximately 70% of NASA civil servants are in STEM occupational series at GS-12 or above, which pulls the average up. Unlike the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs, NASA does not have large numbers of entry-level clerical or support positions.
Salary by role category
NASA employees fall into several broad occupational categories, each with distinct pay ranges:
| Role Category | Typical GS Range | 2026 Salary Range (with locality) | % of Workforce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineers | GS-11 to GS-15 | $86,000–$197,200 | ~25% |
| Physical Scientists | GS-11 to GS-15 | $86,000–$197,200 | ~12% |
| Computer Scientists / IT | GS-11 to GS-15 | $86,000–$197,200 | ~10% |
| Other Engineers (ME, EE, CE) | GS-11 to GS-15 | $86,000–$197,200 | ~15% |
| Program/Project Managers | GS-13 to GS-15 | $120,000–$197,200 | ~8% |
| Contracting / Procurement | GS-11 to GS-14 | $86,000–$190,000 | ~5% |
| Administrative / Support | GS-5 to GS-12 | $42,000–$120,000 | ~10% |
| Technicians | GS-7 to GS-12 | $50,000–$120,000 | ~8% |
| Senior Leadership (SES) | SES | $197,200–$253,100 | ~1% |
| Other (legal, finance, HR, etc.) | GS-9 to GS-15 | $65,000–$197,200 | ~6% |
The highest-paid employee categories at NASA are aerospace engineers, program managers, and senior leadership. For detailed role-specific analysis, see our guides on aerospace engineer NASA salaries, NASA scientist salaries, and the highest-paying NASA jobs.
GS grade distribution at NASA
NASA's GS grade distribution skews heavily toward the upper grades compared to the federal government overall:
| GS Grade | 2026 Base (Step 1) | 2026 Base (Step 10) | Estimated % of NASA Workforce |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 to GS-6 | $22,584–$38,791 | $28,248–$50,428 | ~3% |
| GS-7 to GS-9 | $43,106–$52,727 | $56,039–$68,549 | ~8% |
| GS-10 to GS-11 | $58,064–$63,795 | $75,479–$82,938 | ~10% |
| GS-12 | $76,463 | $99,404 | ~18% |
| GS-13 | $90,925 | $118,204 | ~30% |
| GS-14 | $107,446 | $139,684 | ~18% |
| GS-15 | $126,384 | $164,301 | ~10% |
| SES | — | Up to $253,100 | ~1% |
The single largest concentration is at GS-13, which is the full-performance grade for most NASA technical professionals. This distribution reflects NASA's mission: an agency that designs and operates the most complex engineering systems in human history naturally requires a workforce concentrated at senior technical grades.
How step increases affect salary growth
Within each GS grade, employees advance through 10 steps, each providing a salary increase of roughly 3% of base pay. Step increases follow a fixed schedule:
- Steps 1 to 4: One step per year (annual increases)
- Steps 4 to 7: One step every two years
- Steps 7 to 10: One step every three years
A NASA aerospace engineer who enters at GS-13 Step 1 and remains at that grade will reach Step 10 in 18 years, seeing their base salary increase from $90,925 to $118,204 — a 30% increase without any grade promotion. With locality pay (e.g., Houston at 35%), this translates from approximately $122,749 to $159,575.
NASA managers can request quality step increases (QSIs) that advance an employee one step ahead of the normal waiting period, in recognition of outstanding performance. QSIs are not common — typically awarded to 1–3% of employees annually — but they provide a meaningful salary boost and signal high performance for future promotions.
NASA civil servants vs. contractors
NASA's workforce has two tiers: approximately 18,000 civil servants (federal employees on the GS or SES pay scale) and roughly 50,000 contractor employees who work on-site at NASA facilities but are employed by companies like Jacobs, KBR, Leidos, SAIC, and Peraton.
| Factor | NASA Civil Servant | NASA Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Average salary | ~$105,000 | ~$90,000–$110,000 (varies widely) |
| Retirement | FERS pension + TSP (5% match) | 401(k) (3–6% match, no pension) |
| Health insurance | FEHB (72–75% government-paid) | Employer plan (varies by company) |
| Job security | Very high (federal protections) | Contract-dependent (re-compete risk) |
| Technical authority | Decision-making authority on missions | Advisory / support role (typically) |
| Leave | 13–26 days annual + 13 sick + 11 holidays | Typically 15–20 PTO + holidays |
| Salary transparency | Fully public (GS scale) | Varies by employer |
| Total comp advantage | Pension, TSP, FEHB subsidy, job security | Potentially higher base, more mobility |
When contractors earn more
NASA contractors can earn higher base salaries than GS equivalents in certain situations:
- Senior technical roles: Contractor companies can pay above the GS-15 cap of $197,200 for principal engineers and program managers
- In-demand specialties: Cybersecurity, AI/ML, data science, and certain engineering specialties where the private sector labor market drives higher rates
- Cleared positions: Contractors with active TS/SCI clearances command significant premiums
When civil servants earn more (in total comp)
When benefits are included, civil servants typically earn more in total compensation:
- Mid-career engineers: A GS-13 civil servant with pension, TSP match, and FEHB subsidy earns roughly $190,000 in total comp — difficult for contractors at the same experience level to match
- Long-tenure employees: The pension becomes increasingly valuable with years of service, creating a widening total-comp gap over time
- Near-retirement employees: A civil servant retiring after 30 years with a pension of $45,000–$55,000 per year has accumulated a retirement asset worth $1–1.5 million in present value
Pay by NASA center
Average salaries vary by center, driven by the locality pay rate and the mix of occupational series at each facility:
| NASA Center | Location | Locality Rate | Estimated Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames Research Center | Mountain View, CA | 45.25% | ~$125,000 |
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory* | Pasadena, CA | N/A (Caltech) | ~$130,000 |
| Goddard Space Flight Center | Greenbelt, MD | 33.94% | ~$115,000 |
| Johnson Space Center | Houston, TX | 35.00% | ~$112,000 |
| Marshall Space Flight Center | Huntsville, AL | 25.41% | ~$100,000 |
| Kennedy Space Center | Cape Canaveral, FL | 17.06% | ~$95,000 |
| Langley Research Center | Hampton, VA | 28.42% | ~$105,000 |
| Glenn Research Center | Cleveland, OH | 24.83% | ~$100,000 |
| Stennis Space Center | Bay St. Louis, MS | 17.06% | ~$90,000 |
*JPL is managed by Caltech; employees are not federal civil servants and are not paid on the GS scale.
NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC employs approximately 1,300 civil servants, primarily in policy, program management, and administrative roles. The DC locality rate of 33.94% makes headquarters positions among the highest-paid at NASA, with average salaries estimated around $120,000. However, the Washington DC cost of living absorbs much of this locality premium.
How NASA pay has changed over time
Federal pay raises have been modest in recent years:
- 2024: 5.2% average raise (2% base + 3.2% locality)
- 2025: 1.7% raise
- 2026: 1% raise (with locality frozen at 2025 levels)
The 2024 raise was the largest in decades, but the 2025 and 2026 increases have been more restrained. Over a 10-year period, GS salaries have grown roughly 25–30% in nominal terms, which has approximately kept pace with general inflation but has not matched wage growth in the private-sector tech and aerospace industries.
This gradual erosion of pay competitiveness is a known concern within the federal workforce, and NASA has increasingly used recruitment bonuses, student loan repayment, and the Pathways hiring program to attract talent that might otherwise choose private-sector employers.
Finding the right NASA opportunity
If you are considering NASA employment, start by:
- Creating a USAJobs.gov profile and setting up alerts for your occupational series
- Researching specific NASA centers to find locations and programs that match your interests
- Considering the total compensation package — not just the GS base salary
- Networking with current NASA employees through professional conferences (AIAA, AAS, AGU)
- Exploring contractor positions as a potential stepping stone to civil service
Browse current NASA positions and all space industry jobs on Zero G Talent.
FAQ
What is the average NASA salary compared to other federal agencies?
NASA's average salary of approximately $105,000 is among the highest of any federal agency. For comparison, the Department of Defense averages approximately $70,000, the Department of Energy approximately $95,000, and the National Science Foundation approximately $115,000.
Do NASA employees get overtime pay?
GS employees below GS-10 are entitled to overtime pay. Those at GS-10 and above may or may not be eligible depending on their FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) status. Most NASA engineers and scientists at GS-12+ are classified as FLSA-exempt and do not receive overtime compensation.
How often do NASA employees get raises?
NASA employees receive raises through three mechanisms: annual GS base pay increases (typically 1–5% per year, set by Congress), within-grade step increases (every 1–3 years depending on step), and competitive promotions to higher grades. In a typical year, a NASA employee might see a 1–2% base raise plus a step increase, totaling 3–5% growth.
Can NASA employees have second jobs?
Federal employees can hold second jobs with supervisory approval, provided there is no conflict of interest. NASA engineers who consult for aerospace companies, teach at universities, or work part-time in non-competing fields must disclose these activities and receive ethics approval.
Is NASA hiring in 2026?
Yes. NASA actively hires across all occupational series, though hiring rates vary by center and budget cycle. Key growth areas in 2026 include Artemis program engineering, cybersecurity, AI/data science, and program management. Check USAJobs.gov and our NASA job listings for current openings.
