Salary for NASA positions in 2026: engineers, scientists, and support roles
Salary for NASA positions in 2026: engineers, scientists, and support roles
NASA salaries are set by the federal General Schedule (GS) pay system with locality adjustments. The 2026 tables include a 1% across-the-board increase from January 2026. Here's what NASA pays across different roles.
What determines your NASA salary
Three factors set your pay:
Grade (GS-1 to GS-15): Based on job complexity and your qualifications. Engineers typically enter at GS-7 (BS), GS-9 (MS), or GS-11 (PhD).
Step (1 to 10): Within-grade increases that happen on a fixed schedule. Step 1 to Step 10 takes approximately 18 years.
Locality pay: A percentage added based on your NASA center's geographic area. Ranges from ~18% (Stennis, MS) to 44.15% (Ames/Mountain View, CA).
Formula: Base GS salary × (1 + locality percentage) = your salary
Quick salary lookup
| If you're a... | Expect... | Details |
|---|---|---|
| New BS engineer | $52K–$76K | GS-7, varies by location |
| New MS engineer | $64K–$93K | GS-9, varies by location |
| Engineer after 5 years | $103K–$135K | GS-12, journey-level |
| Senior engineer | $111K–$160K | GS-13, auto-promotion ceiling |
| Technical lead | $131K–$189K | GS-14, competitive promotion |
| Division chief | $154K–$197K | GS-15, capped at $197,200 |
| Astronaut | $105K–$161K | GS-13 to GS-14 |
| Center Director | $148K–$222K | Senior Executive Service |
For detailed salary tables by NASA center, see our NASA engineer salary guide.
Benefits that increase effective compensation
NASA benefits add $30K–$50K in annual value beyond base salary:
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| FERS pension (30 yr) | ~30% of final salary, annually, for life |
| TSP employer match | 5% of salary (~$6K/yr on $120K) |
| Health insurance (FEHB) | ~70% employer-paid, continues in retirement |
| Annual leave | 13–26 days + 13 sick days |
| Student loan repayment | Up to $10K/year |
| Work-life balance | 4.0/5 Glassdoor rating |
A GS-13 engineer earning $140K at NASA receives approximately $165K–$175K in total annual compensation when you add pension accrual, TSP match, and health coverage. Over a 30-year career, the FERS pension alone can be worth $1M+ in equivalent retirement savings. See our career progression salary guide for the full math.
How to find NASA salary for a specific position
- Go to USAJobs.gov
- Search the position title + "NASA"
- The posting lists the GS grade and salary range
- Look up the exact figure on the OPM GS locality pay table for that center's area
Browse NASA positions on Zero G Talent, or see our NASA careers guide, NASA aerospace engineer salary, and astronaut salary guide.
