How much does NASA pay in 2026?
$38K–$222K
Full Range
GS Scale
Pay System
NASA pays $38,000–$222,000 depending on position, grade, and location. Engineers earn $58K–$197K, astronauts earn $105K–$161K, and Senior Executives earn up to $222K.
Quick answer
| You are... | NASA pays... |
|---|---|
| New engineer (BS) | $52K–$76K (GS-7, varies by center) |
| Engineer after 5 years | $103K–$135K (GS-12) |
| Senior engineer | $111K–$160K (GS-13) |
| Astronaut | $105K–$161K (GS-13/14) |
| Support/admin | $38K–$75K (GS-4 to GS-7) |
Locality pay adds 18–44% to base GS salary depending on NASA center location. Houston adds 35%, DC adds 34%, Huntsville adds 22%.
The real question: is NASA pay competitive?
Base salary? No — SpaceX and defense primes pay 10–40% more at most levels. But NASA adds:
- FERS pension (~30% of final salary per year for life after 30 years)
- TSP 5% match
- 4.0/5 work-life balance (vs. SpaceX 2.4/5)
- Federal job security
For detailed tables, see our NASA pay rate guide. For career progression, see salary at NASA for an engineer.
Browse NASA positions on Zero G Talent.
