How much does an engineer at NASA make in 2026?
NASA engineers are federal employees paid on the General Schedule (GS), a government-wide pay system with 15 grades and 10 steps per grade. Unlike private companies where salaries are negotiated individually, NASA pay is transparent and predictable — you can look up exactly what any GS grade and step pays in any location.
The short answer: new graduates start at $53,000–$79,000 depending on degree and location. Experienced engineers (GS-13) earn $84,000–$145,000. The highest-paid engineers (GS-15) cap at $197,200.
The quick reference table
| Experience | Grade | Base Salary | With Locality (avg) | Total Comp (with benefits) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New grad, BS | GS-7 | $39,576 | $50,000–$57,000 | $65,000–$75,000 |
| New grad, MS | GS-9 | $48,440 | $61,000–$70,000 | $80,000–$92,000 |
| 2-4 years | GS-11 | $58,686 | $74,000–$85,000 | $97,000–$112,000 |
| 4-8 years | GS-12 | $70,312 | $89,000–$102,000 | $117,000–$134,000 |
| 8-15 years | GS-13 | $83,622 | $106,000–$120,000 | $139,000–$158,000 |
| 15-20 years | GS-14 | $98,820 | $125,000–$143,000 | $164,000–$188,000 |
| 20+ years (leadership) | GS-15 | $116,200 | $147,000–$197,200 | $193,000–$260,000 |
"Total Comp" includes the estimated annual value of the FERS pension, TSP match, FEHB health insurance, and paid leave.
How the GS system works
Grades
The GS system has 15 grades. NASA engineers are primarily in grades 7 through 15:
- GS-7 to GS-11: Entry-level through early career. Most NASA engineering positions have a "career ladder" from GS-7 to GS-12, meaning you're automatically promoted through these grades as you develop (typically every 1-2 years).
- GS-12: Full-performance level for most engineering positions. This is where many engineers work for several years.
- GS-13: Senior engineer. Promotion to GS-13 may be automatic or competitive depending on the position.
- GS-14: Supervisory or senior technical specialist. Always competitive.
- GS-15: Executive/senior leadership or distinguished technical fellow. Always competitive.
Steps
Each grade has 10 steps. You advance through steps based on time:
- Steps 1-4: Every 1 year (so Step 1 → Step 4 takes 3 years)
- Steps 4-7: Every 2 years
- Steps 7-10: Every 3 years
Total time from Step 1 to Step 10: 18 years within a single grade.
Locality pay
Federal locality pay adds a percentage on top of base salary based on your work location. This ranges from about 17% (Rest of US) to 44% (San Jose/San Francisco area).
For NASA engineers, the most relevant locality areas:
| NASA Center | Locality % | Impact on GS-12 Step 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Ames (Bay Area) | 44.15% | $108,500 |
| Johnson (Houston) | 35.00% | $101,604 |
| Armstrong (LA area) | 35.15% | $101,717 |
| Goddard (DC area) | 33.94% | $100,805 |
| Langley (Hampton) | 26.03% | $94,852 |
| Kennedy (Orlando area) | 23.89% | $93,240 |
| Marshall (Huntsville) | 21.91% | $91,750 |
| Glenn (Cleveland) | 22.90% | $92,495 |
| Stennis (Mississippi) | 20.15% | $90,424 |
What kinds of engineers NASA hires
NASA employs engineers across dozens of disciplines:
| Engineering Discipline | Job Series | Primary Centers |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace (aero/astro) | 0861 | All centers |
| Mechanical | 0830 | All centers |
| Electrical | 0850 | GSFC, JSC, KSC |
| Computer/Software | 1550/2210 | All centers |
| Chemical | 0893 | Glenn, Marshall, Stennis |
| Civil/Structural | 0810 | KSC, Marshall, Langley |
| Electronics | 0855 | GSFC, JPL (Caltech), JSC |
The 0861 (Aerospace Engineering) series is the most common at NASA, but mechanical and electrical engineers are also heavily represented, particularly at centers focused on hardware development (GSFC, Marshall, KSC).
Benefits: the hidden compensation
NASA engineers receive federal benefits that significantly increase total compensation:
Retirement (FERS)
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic annuity | 1% of high-3 average salary × years of service (1.1% if retiring at 62+) |
| TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) | Government matches up to 5% of salary; extremely low-cost index funds |
| Social Security | Standard Social Security benefits |
Example: A GS-13 engineer retiring after 30 years with a high-3 average of $130,000 receives approximately $39,000-$43,000/year in pension payments for life, adjusted annually for inflation. Add TSP withdrawals and Social Security, and total retirement income can exceed $80,000/year.
Health insurance
FEHB (Federal Employee Health Benefits) offers dozens of plan options. The government pays 70-75% of the premium. Coverage continues into retirement at the same cost share — this is worth potentially tens of thousands of dollars per year in retirement.
Leave
| Type | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual leave | 13 days (years 1-3), 20 days (years 4-15), 26 days (year 15+) |
| Sick leave | 13 days/year, unlimited accrual |
| Federal holidays | 11 days/year |
| Total time off | 37-50 days/year (roughly 7-10 weeks) |
Other benefits
- Student loan repayment: Up to $10,000/year for qualifying positions
- Tuition assistance: Available for part-time graduate education
- 9/80 or AWS schedules: Most centers offer compressed work weeks or flexible schedules
- Telework: Available for many positions (varies by center and role)
When people say NASA doesn't pay well, they're comparing base salary to private sector offers. Once you factor in the pension (worth $15K-$40K/year in retirement), TSP match (5%), healthcare (continuing into retirement), job security, 40-hour weeks, and 7-10 weeks of leave, NASA total compensation is competitive with many private employers — especially for engineers who value stability and work-life balance.
How to get hired
Pathways for new graduates
- NASA Pathways Recent Graduate Program — For graduates within 2 years of degree completion. Apply on USAJobs.gov.
- Direct hire — NASA sometimes uses direct hire authority for critical skill shortages.
- NASA STEM internship → conversion — Former NASA interns can be converted to permanent positions without competition.
Application tips
- Resume format: Federal resumes are much longer than private sector (3-5 pages). Include detailed duty descriptions, hours per week, and supervisor references.
- Keywords: Match the language of the job posting exactly. The ATS screens for specific terms.
- GPA: Include if above 3.0 (NASA screens on GPA for entry-level).
- Citizenship: Required for all civil servant positions. No exceptions.
Browse NASA positions on Zero G Talent, or see our NASA aeronautical engineer salary guide and NASA software engineer salary.
