Jobs at NASA with salaries in 2026
NASA employs aerospace engineers, astrophysicists, flight software developers, mission controllers, budget analysts, and public affairs officers on the same campus. They all use the same badge and park in the same lot, but their salaries can differ by $100,000 or more. If you are researching jobs at NASA salary levels, this guide maps every major role to its GS grade and 2026 pay.
Every figure below uses the Washington-Baltimore locality rate unless noted otherwise. Your actual salary will differ based on the center where you work.
Engineering roles and salaries
Engineering is the largest occupational group at NASA, representing over 40% of the civil servant workforce. Here is what each engineering discipline pays.
Aerospace engineer (Series 0861)
This is NASA's signature role. Aerospace engineers design, analyze, and test spacecraft, launch vehicles, and flight systems. They cluster at Johnson Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Kennedy Space Center.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,178 to $86,029
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
- Senior (GS-14/15): $134,751 to $191,900
A typical career ladder posting reads "GS-9/11/12," meaning you enter at GS-9 and receive non-competitive promotions through GS-12 over two to three years. For a deeper look, read our NASA aerospace engineer salary guide.
Mechanical engineer (Series 0830)
Mechanical engineers at NASA work on propulsion components, thermal control, structural analysis, and life support systems. Marshall Space Flight Center and Goddard are major hubs for this discipline.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,178 to $86,029
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
- Senior (GS-14/15): $134,751 to $191,900
Electrical engineer (Series 0850)
Electrical engineers develop avionics, power systems, RF communications, and instrument electronics. Goddard, JPL, and Johnson Space Center maintain the largest EE staffs. See our dedicated electrical engineer at NASA guide for full details.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,178 to $86,029
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
- Senior (GS-14/15): $134,751 to $191,900
Systems engineer (Series 0801)
The general engineering series covers systems engineers, test engineers, and multidisciplinary roles. This is the most common series by headcount at NASA.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,178 to $86,029
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
- Senior (GS-14/15): $134,751 to $191,900
Aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and general engineers all earn the same at equivalent GS grades. The salary difference between disciplines comes from typical promotion speed and the grades that positions are posted at, not from different pay scales.
Software engineer (Series 1550/2210)
Software engineers build flight software, ground data systems, simulation environments, and mission planning tools. NASA Ames, Goddard, and JPL are the primary software hubs.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,178 to $86,029
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
- Senior (GS-14): $134,751 to $175,178
Software roles at NASA typically top out at GS-14 rather than GS-15, and the pay gap versus the private sector is widest in this field. A GS-14 software engineer earns up to $175,000 at NASA; equivalent experience at a tech company could command $300,000 or more in total compensation.
Science roles and salaries
Research scientist (Series 1301/1310)
Research scientists conduct fundamental and applied research in planetary science, astrophysics, Earth science, and heliophysics. Most hold PhDs and enter at GS-11 or GS-12 after a postdoctoral fellowship.
- Entry (GS-11): $80,006 to $104,005
- Mid-career (GS-13): $114,044 to $148,255
- Senior (GS-14/15): $134,751 to $191,900
For the full breakdown by discipline, see our salary for NASA scientists guide.
Astrophysicist (Series 1310)
Astrophysicists study stellar physics, cosmology, exoplanets, and operate space telescopes. Goddard Space Flight Center has the largest astrophysics division.
- Typical range: GS-12 to GS-15 ($95,895 to $191,900 with DC locality)
Planetary scientist (Series 1301/1350)
Planetary scientists analyze Mars geology, plan lunar surface operations, curate returned samples, and design missions to the outer solar system. JPL and Johnson Space Center are primary locations.
- Typical range: GS-12 to GS-15 ($95,895 to $191,900 with DC locality)
Most NASA scientists start through the NPP (NASA Postdoctoral Program), managed by ORAU. The fellowship pays $70,000 to $80,000 for 2-3 years and is the primary pipeline into permanent civil servant research positions. Roughly 30-40% of NPP fellows convert to permanent NASA positions.
Mission operations roles and salaries
Flight controller
Flight controllers work in Mission Control at Johnson Space Center, managing real-time operations for the International Space Station and Artemis missions. They typically hold engineering or science degrees.
- Entry (GS-9/11): $66,178 to $104,005
- Certified flight controller (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
- Flight director (GS-14/15): $134,751 to $191,900
Launch operations engineer
Launch operations engineers at Kennedy Space Center prepare and execute vehicle launches. These roles combine engineering knowledge with hands-on operational experience.
- Entry (GS-9/11): $66,178 to $104,005
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
Administrative and support roles
Budget analyst (Series 0560)
Budget analysts manage the funding that keeps NASA programs alive. They track obligations, prepare congressional budget justifications, and perform cost analysis.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,178 to $86,029
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
Contract specialist (Series 1102)
Contract specialists manage NASA's procurement of goods and services, from launch vehicle contracts to office supplies.
- Entry (GS-7/9): $54,092 to $86,029
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
- Senior (GS-14): $134,751 to $175,178
Public affairs specialist (Series 1035)
Public affairs officers handle media relations, social media, public engagement, and education outreach.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,178 to $86,029
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
Human resources specialist (Series 0201)
HR specialists handle hiring, classification, employee relations, and workforce planning.
- Entry (GS-7/9): $54,092 to $86,029
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $95,895 to $148,255
Astronaut salary
Active NASA astronauts are civil servants classified at GS-14 or GS-15. Their salary in the Houston locality area ranges from approximately $131,800 to $191,900. There is no additional hazard pay for spaceflight. Astronaut candidates begin at GS-14 and may advance to GS-15 after selection to a mission crew.
For more on the full career path, see our qualifications for becoming an astronaut guide.
Senior leadership and executive pay
| Position | Pay System | 2026 Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| NASA Administrator | Executive Schedule Level II | $204,000 |
| Center Director | SES | $147,649–$221,900 |
| Associate Administrator | SES | $147,649–$221,900 |
| Chief Scientist | ST | $152,000–$204,000 |
| Technical Fellow | ST | $152,000–$204,000 |
Benefits included with NASA jobs
Federal benefits add substantial value beyond base salary:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| FERS pension | 1.0-1.1% of high-3 average salary per year of service |
| TSP match | Government matches up to 5% of salary |
| Health insurance (FEHB) | Government pays ~72% of premium |
| Annual leave | 13-26 days/year based on years of service |
| Sick leave | 13 days/year, unlimited accumulation |
| Federal holidays | 11 paid days per year |
| Student loan repayment | Up to $10,000/year, $60,000 lifetime cap |
When comparing NASA jobs salary to private sector offers, add roughly 30-40% to the GS salary to account for the pension, TSP match, health insurance subsidy, and leave benefits. A GS-13 earning $118,000 has total compensation equivalent to roughly $155,000-$165,000 in the private sector.
How to find NASA job salaries on USAJobs
Every NASA civil servant position is posted on USAJobs.gov with the GS grade clearly listed. To calculate the salary for any posting:
- Note the GS grade and career ladder (example: GS-9/11/12)
- Look up the OPM locality pay table for the posting's geographic area
- Find the intersection of grade and step
- The "full performance level" (highest number in the ladder) is the salary you will earn within 2-3 years
Explore NASA positions
Browse current NASA openings on Zero G Talent. For salary guides on specific roles, read our coverage of NASA engineer pay, NASA scientist salaries, and NASA pay scales. You can also compare with roles at SpaceX, Blue Origin, and across aerospace engineering and software positions in the space industry.
