NASA jobs salary in 2026: every pay grade, series, and center explained
A GS-7 Pathways intern and a Senior Executive Service director both have NASA badges, but their paychecks differ by over $150,000. Understanding NASA jobs salary means understanding the system behind the numbers: grades, steps, series codes, locality adjustments, and the handful of positions that sit outside the GS scale entirely.
This is the full breakdown, built from OPM pay tables, USAJobs postings, and what we see across thousands of federal space industry listings.
The GS pay scale at NASA: grades, steps, and what they mean
Every NASA civil servant position (except JPL and SES) falls on the General Schedule. There are 15 grades, each with 10 steps. Your grade reflects your responsibility level and qualifications. Steps are time-based raises within a grade: Steps 1-3 come annually, Steps 4-6 every two years, and Steps 7-10 every three years.
Here's what the full GS range looks like at NASA with DC-area locality (the most common locality for NASA postings):
| Grade | Step 1 (DC Locality) | Step 10 (DC Locality) | Typical NASA Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-3 | $35,373 | $45,982 | Pathways student trainee |
| GS-5 | $43,646 | $56,741 | Pathways intern (bachelor's) |
| GS-7 | $54,092 | $70,317 | Recent graduate, entry analyst |
| GS-9 | $66,178 | $86,029 | Entry engineer/scientist |
| GS-11 | $80,006 | $104,005 | Engineer, scientist (2-4 years exp) |
| GS-12 | $95,895 | $124,659 | Journey-level engineer/scientist |
| GS-13 | $114,044 | $148,255 | Senior engineer, team lead |
| GS-14 | $134,751 | $175,178 | Branch chief, principal engineer |
| GS-15 | $158,527 | $191,900* | Division chief, senior technical |
*GS-15 Step 10 hits the Executive Schedule Level IV cap of $191,900 in most high-locality areas.
Most NASA engineers land between GS-12 and GS-14. If you see "GS-9/11/12" on a posting, that means the position has promotion potential to GS-12 without having to compete for a new job.
Pathways program: NASA jobs salary for students and recent grads
NASA's Pathways program is the main pipeline for early-career hires. It has three tracks, each at a different GS level:
- Internship Experience Program (IEP): Current students. GS-3 to GS-5 depending on academic level. Pay ranges from roughly $35,000 to $57,000 annualized, though most interns work seasonal terms.
- Recent Graduates: Within 2 years of degree completion. Typically enter at GS-5 (bachelor's) or GS-7 (master's). Can be converted to permanent positions.
- Presidential Management Fellows (PMF): GS-9 to GS-11 entry. Competitive 2-year program for advanced degree holders. Starting pay around $66,000-$104,000 with DC locality.
Roughly 60-70% of Pathways participants who complete their programs convert to permanent NASA positions. The conversion isn't automatic, but supervisors who hire Pathways students typically intend to keep them. Your odds improve by picking a center with active hiring in your discipline.
Once converted, Pathways hires enter the standard GS ladder and can progress to GS-12 or GS-13 within 4-6 years through the career ladder built into their position description.
NASA jobs salary by occupational series
The four-digit occupational series code tells you more about expected NASA jobs salary than almost any other factor. Here are the series you'll encounter most often.
0861: Aerospace engineering
This is NASA's bread and butter. Aerospace engineers design, analyze, and test spacecraft, launch vehicles, and flight systems. They dominate the workforce at JSC, MSFC, and KSC.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,000–$86,000
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $96,000–$148,000
- Senior (GS-14/15): $135,000–$191,900
0830: Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineers at NASA work on propulsion systems, thermal control, life support, and structural analysis. High demand at MSFC (engines) and GSFC (instruments).
- Entry (GS-9): $66,000–$86,000
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $96,000–$148,000
- Senior (GS-14/15): $135,000–$191,900
0801: General engineering
This catch-all series covers systems engineers, test engineers, and multidisciplinary roles. It's the most common series at NASA by headcount.
- Ranges are identical to 0861 and 0830 at equivalent grades
1550: Computer science
Computer scientists at NASA build flight software, ground data systems, mission planning tools, and increasingly AI/ML pipelines for scientific data.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,000–$86,000
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $96,000–$148,000
- Senior (GS-14/15): $135,000–$175,000
Software roles at NASA top out lower than private-sector equivalents. A GS-14 computer scientist earns $135,000-$175,000, while the same experience at a tech company could command $200,000-$350,000 in total compensation.
1301: General physical science
Planetary scientists, astrophysicists, Earth scientists, and heliophysicists fall here. They cluster at GSFC, JPL, and Ames.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,000–$86,000
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $96,000–$148,000
- Senior (GS-14/15): $135,000–$191,900
2210: IT management
IT specialists manage NASA's networks, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise systems. Every center has a sizable IT contingent.
- Entry (GS-9): $66,000–$86,000
- Mid-career (GS-12/13): $96,000–$148,000
- Senior (GS-14): $135,000–$175,000
When a posting says "GS-12/13," the first number is your starting grade and the second is the "full performance level" you can promote to non-competitively. Always look at the full performance level, that's your likely salary within 2-3 years.
Senior positions: SES and ST pay at NASA
Above GS-15, NASA has two tracks for top talent:
Senior Executive Service (SES): NASA's roughly 80 SES members lead directorates and major programs. SES pay in 2026 ranges from $147,649 to $221,900. These are the center directors, associate administrators, and mission directorate heads.
Senior Scientist/Engineer (ST): A technical track parallel to SES for people who want to stay hands-on. ST pay is equivalent to SES, topping out at $221,900. NASA has around 30-40 ST positions across the agency. These are the people who serve as chief scientists, technical fellows, and principal investigators on flagship missions.
Both SES and ST positions require specific executive core qualifications or technical credentials. They're not just the next rung above GS-15; they're selective positions filled through highly competitive processes.
Highest paying NASA centers for specific roles
Where you work matters as much as what you do. Here's where specific disciplines pay best:
| Discipline | Highest-Paying Center | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace engineering | JPL, then JSC | JPL's Caltech scale; JSC has Houston locality |
| Software/CS | Ames, then GSFC | Bay Area locality at Ames (42%+) |
| Earth science | GSFC | DC locality, largest Earth science division |
| Propulsion | MSFC, then Stennis | SLS/Artemis engine testing hub |
| Launch operations | KSC | Only center for launch ops (lower locality though) |
| Planetary science | JPL, then GSFC | JPL leads most planetary missions |
Ames is the sleeper pick for software engineers. The Bay Area locality adjustment pushes GS-13 pay above $150,000, which is competitive enough that NASA can actually recruit against Silicon Valley for mission-critical roles.
How to maximize your NASA starting salary
You can't negotiate GS grade, but you can influence your starting step. Here's what works:
- Request superior qualifications appointment: If you have significant private-sector experience, ask for Step 4-7 of your grade at entry. HR requires documentation that your current salary exceeds Step 1 of the offered grade.
- Target the right grade ladder: A position posted as GS-9/11/12 gives you three guaranteed promotions. A GS-12 posting with no ladder means you stay at GS-12 until you compete for the next opening.
- Pick your locality wisely: The same GS-13 pays $114,000 base but ranges from $142,000 (Rest of US) to $163,000 (SF Bay Area) after locality.
- Consider JPL: If you qualify, JPL's Caltech-managed pay bands can offer 10-20% more than equivalent GS positions.
The fastest way to increase your NASA salary is to accept a lower-locality center position, get your career ladder promotions, then transfer to a higher-locality center at the promoted grade. Huntsville to Houston is a popular move.
Frequently asked questions about NASA jobs salary
What's the most common salary at NASA? GS-13 in the DC or Houston locality area, which puts you in the $114,000-$148,000 range. This grade represents experienced engineers and scientists who form the backbone of mission teams.
Do NASA interns get paid? Yes. Pathways interns at GS-3 to GS-5 earn $17-$27 per hour. Summer internships through OSTEM (now called OSSI) offer stipends of $1,100-$1,500 per month for high school students and more for college students.
Can you make $200K at NASA? Only at the ST or SES level, which caps at $221,900. GS-15 Step 10 hits the pay cap around $191,900. JPL's Caltech scale can reach $195,000+ for senior principal engineers.
How often do NASA employees get raises? Annual across-the-board raises (typically 2-5%), within-grade step increases (every 1-3 years), and promotion-based grade increases. Most NASA employees see their salary grow 4-8% per year in the early career.
Is it worth leaving the private sector for NASA? Financially, it depends on your field. Software engineers take a pay cut. Aerospace engineers are roughly at parity. The pension, TSP match, and job security tip the scales for anyone planning a 20+ year career.
Start exploring NASA positions
Now that you understand how NASA jobs salary works from GS-3 through SES, you're better equipped to evaluate postings and negotiate your entry point. Browse current NASA openings or explore roles across the broader space industry in aerospace engineering, software, and research science. For a wider view, check positions at other federal space employers like Space Force or the growing commercial space sector.
