NASA salary overview for 2026: what every position pays and why
NASA salaries span from entry-level administrative roles at $38,000 to Senior Executive Service positions at $222,000. All civil servants are paid through the federal General Schedule (GS) system, with locality adjustments that vary by center. Here's what every position pays.
NASA salary by job type
| Position | GS Grade Range | Salary Range (Houston) |
|---|---|---|
| Admin/Support | GS-4 to GS-7 | $38,000–$75,000 |
| Technician | GS-5 to GS-11 | $42,000–$112,000 |
| Engineer (entry) | GS-7 to GS-9 | $58,000–$93,000 |
| Engineer (mid) | GS-11 to GS-12 | $86,000–$134,000 |
| Engineer (senior) | GS-13 | $123,000–$160,000 |
| Scientist | GS-9 to GS-15 | $71,000–$197,200 |
| Astronaut | GS-13 to GS-14 | $105,000–$161,000 |
| Branch Chief | GS-14 | $145,000–$189,000 |
| Division Chief | GS-15 | $171,000–$197,200 |
| Center Director | SES | $148,000–$222,000 |
Why NASA pays less than SpaceX (and why people still choose NASA)
Base salary comparison at mid-career level:
| Metric | NASA (GS-13) | SpaceX (equivalent) | Lockheed Martin (E3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $123K–$160K | $140K–$185K | $95K–$135K |
| Pension | Yes (FERS) | No | Yes (limited) |
| 401(k)/TSP match | 5% | 4% | 10% |
| WLB (Glassdoor) | 4.0/5 | 2.4/5 | 3.6/5 |
| Job security | Very high | Medium | High |
| Equity/Stock | None | Pre-IPO options | None |
NASA wins on stability, benefits, and work-life balance. SpaceX wins on base pay and equity upside. Lockheed Martin's 10% 401(k) is the best retirement contribution among all three.
After 30 years at NASA with a high-3 average salary of $155K, the FERS pension pays ~$46,500/year for life. To generate the same income from a 401(k), you'd need approximately $1.16 million saved (using the 4% withdrawal rule). NASA's pension is the single biggest compensation advantage over private sector employers that don't offer defined benefit plans.
How to look up any NASA salary
- Visit the job posting on USAJobs.gov — it lists the GS grade and salary range
- For exact figures, check OPM.gov GS locality pay tables for the NASA center's geographic area
- The 2026 tables reflect a 1% across-the-board increase from January 2026
For detailed salary tables by NASA center, see our NASA engineer salary guide. For career progression details, see salary at NASA for an engineer.
Browse NASA positions on Zero G Talent, or see our NASA careers guide and astronaut salary guide.
