NASA jobs pay in 2026: what every position earns
$38K–$222K
Full Range
~18,000
Civil Servants
GS + SES
Pay Systems
NASA employs approximately 18,000 civil servants across 10 centers. Pay varies widely by job type, grade, and location.
Pay by job type
| Position | Typical Grade | Salary Range (with locality) |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative support | GS-5 to GS-9 | $38,000–$72,000 |
| Technician | GS-7 to GS-11 | $50,000–$90,000 |
| Engineer | GS-7 to GS-15 | $58,000–$197,000 |
| Scientist | GS-9 to GS-15 | $65,000–$197,000 |
| Astronaut | GS-13 to GS-14 | $116,000–$155,000 |
| Flight director | GS-14 to GS-15 | $135,000–$197,000 |
| Center director | SES | $147,000–$222,000 |
Highest-paying NASA centers
Due to locality pay adjustments, the same grade pays differently depending on where you work:
| Center | Locality % | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ames Research Center (CA) | 44.15% | Highest raw pay |
| JPL (Pasadena, CA) | 37.08% | Robotics, planetary science |
| JSC (Houston, TX) | 35.00% | Best take-home (no state tax) |
| GSFC (Greenbelt, MD) | 33.94% | Earth science, satellites |
For engineers specifically, JSC in Houston offers the best purchasing power: high locality pay (35%) combined with zero Texas state income tax.
Contractor vs. civil servant
About 60,000 contractors support NASA alongside the 18,000 civil servants. Contractors (through companies like Jacobs, KBR, SAIC) often earn 10-20% more in base salary but receive weaker benefits — no FERS pension, no federal job security.
See our complete NASA salary guide and NASA engineer salary breakdown. Browse NASA positions on Zero G Talent.
