$135K
Avg Space Industry Salary
The space industry is hiring at scale. Across 88 companies tracked on Zero G Talent, there are 11,276 active job listings — from intern positions to VP-level roles. But the hiring isn't evenly distributed. Ten companies account for the vast majority of open positions, and each offers a fundamentally different career proposition: defense stability, startup equity, launch experience, or satellite scale.
Here's who's hiring the most in 2026, what they pay, and what it's actually like to work there.
## The top 10 by open positions
| Rank | Company | Active Jobs | Segment | HQ |
|------|---------|------------|---------|-----|
| 1 | Thales Alenia Space | 1,720 | Satellite manufacturing | Cannes, France |
| 2 | SpaceX | 1,577 | Launch, Starlink, Starship | Hawthorne, CA |
| 3 | RTX (Raytheon) | 1,370 | Defense electronics | Arlington, VA |
| 4 | Blue Origin | 981 | Launch vehicles | Kent, WA |
| 5 | Northrop Grumman | 855 | Defense, spacecraft | Falls Church, VA |
| 6 | Airbus | 722 | Commercial space | Leiden, Netherlands |
| 7 | Telespazio | 300 | Satellite services | Rome, Italy |
| 8 | Rocket Lab | 293 | Launch, spacecraft | Long Beach, CA |
| 9 | Boeing | 286 | SLS, defense | Arlington, VA |
| 10 | Relativity Space | 283 | 3D-printed rockets | Long Beach, CA |
Combined, these 10 companies represent 8,387 of 11,276 active listings — 74% of the entire space job market.
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## 1. Thales Alenia Space — 1,720 jobs
**What they do**: Europe's largest satellite manufacturer, building everything from telecommunications satellites to ISS modules to navigation payloads for Galileo. Joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%).
**Why they're #1 in hiring**: Thales is executing on multiple mega-programs simultaneously — ExoMars, Space Rider, and next-generation Galileo satellites. Their hiring is heavily concentrated in Europe (Cannes, Toulouse, Rome, Turin, Madrid).
**Who they hire**: Systems engineers, satellite integration specialists, thermal engineers, software engineers, RF engineers. Most roles require EU work authorization.
**Pay**: European space salaries typically run 20-30% below US equivalents. Senior engineers in France earn €55K-€85K ($60K-$92K), though lower cost of living and benefits (35-hour work week, 5+ weeks vacation) partially offset the gap.
**Culture**: Traditional European aerospace — structured, process-oriented, strong work-life balance. Slower pace than US commercial space but more predictable hours.
## 2. SpaceX — 1,577 jobs
**What they do**: The dominant force in commercial space. Falcon 9 (165 launches in 2025, targeting 170+ in 2026), Starlink (9,400+ satellites, 7.6M subscribers), Starship (Flight 12 targeting March 2026), and Dragon (crew and cargo to ISS).
**Why they're hiring**: Sheer operational scale. SpaceX launches more rockets than every other company and government combined. Starlink alone requires continuous satellite manufacturing (70,000+ Starlink kits per week at Bastrop), global ground station deployment, and constellation management. Starship development adds another layer of engineering demand.
**Who they hire**: Every engineering discipline — software (934 active industry-wide), avionics, propulsion, structures, manufacturing, launch operations, satellite operations. Also business operations, supply chain, and Starlink customer support.
**Key locations**: Hawthorne CA (HQ), Starbase TX (Starship), Bastrop TX (Starlink manufacturing), McGregor TX (engine testing), Redmond WA (satellite engineering), Cape Canaveral FL, Vandenberg CA.
**Pay**: Base salaries are notably lower than defense primes — $95K-$115K entry for engineers vs. $130K+ at Northrop or Lockheed. But SpaceX equity is the wild card. With a potential IPO at ~$1.5 trillion valuation, mid-career engineers with stock options could see total compensation of $175K-$535K. Software engineers average $148K with top total comp reaching $535K.
**Culture**: Intense. Glassdoor reviews show 4.2/5 overall but work-life balance scores just 2.5/5. Expect 50-60 hour weeks as baseline, with surge periods around launches pushing to 70+. The trade-off: your work flies to space. The brand name is the strongest in aerospace, and intern-to-full-time conversion runs 70-85%.
SpaceX equity math
SpaceX base salaries for engineers ($95K–$115K entry) are below Northrop ($130K+) or Lockheed ($140K+). But with a potential 2026 IPO at ~$1.5T valuation, SpaceX equity could push total compensation for mid-career engineers to $175K–$535K. Longtime employees with early stock options stand to see the largest gains in the industry's history. The flip side: equity is illiquid until an IPO happens, and there's no guarantee on timing.
## 3. RTX (Raytheon) — 1,370 jobs
**What they do**: One of the "Big 3" defense primes (alongside Lockheed and Northrop). RTX's space-relevant work spans missile defense sensors, satellite communications, space surveillance, and electronic warfare. Raytheon (missiles/defense), Collins Aerospace (avionics/interiors), and Pratt & Whitney (propulsion) operate under the RTX umbrella.
**Why they're hiring**: The Space Development Agency's $3.5 billion contract for missile-tracking satellites, plus sustained demand for space surveillance and missile defense systems. RTX is one of the primary contractors for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
**Who they hire**: RF engineers, systems engineers, software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, program managers. Most space roles require US citizenship and security clearances.
**Pay**: $100K-$155K for aerospace engineers, comparable to Lockheed Martin. Strong benefits including pension, 401(k) matching (6-8%), and comprehensive healthcare. A TS/SCI clearance adds $10-30K to base.
**Culture**: Classic defense prime — structured, process-heavy, stable. 40-hour weeks are the norm. Career progression follows defined timelines. Less exciting than SpaceX but far more predictable.
## 4. Blue Origin — 981 jobs
**What they do**: Jeff Bezos's space company, focused on New Glenn (heavy-lift orbital rocket), Blue Moon (lunar lander for Artemis), and New Shepard (suborbital tourism). First New Glenn launch was a partial success in early 2025 — the second stage reached orbit but the booster landing failed.
**Why they're hiring**: New Glenn production ramp, Blue Moon development for Artemis missions, and the push to establish a regular launch cadence. Blue Origin is transitioning from R&D to operations, which requires scaling the workforce.
**Who they hire**: Propulsion engineers (BE-4 engine), avionics, systems engineers, software engineers, manufacturing engineers. HQ in Kent, WA with operations in Cape Canaveral (New Glenn), Huntsville (BE-4 production), and Van Horn, TX (New Shepard).
**Pay**: $84K-$149K for engineers, $120K-$407K for software (L1-L6). Blue Origin generally pays between SpaceX base and defense prime rates. Benefits include equity (private company), healthcare, and a unique perk: some teams report 4-day work weeks.
**Culture**: Often described as "SpaceX lite" — mission-driven but with better work-life balance. Glassdoor ratings are mixed, with some employees noting slower decision-making compared to SpaceX. Intern-to-full-time conversion rate is 42% — significantly lower than SpaceX (70-85%) or defense primes.
## 5. Northrop Grumman — 855 jobs
**What they do**: Defense and space systems including Cygnus cargo spacecraft, missile defense satellites, the B-21 bomber (relevant for cleared engineering talent), and space domain awareness. Major contractor for the Space Development Agency's tracking layer.
**Why they're hiring**: $3.5B SDA satellite contract (shared with Lockheed, L3Harris, Rocket Lab), Cygnus ISS resupply, and classified space programs. Northrop's space division is growing faster than its other segments.
**Who they hire**: Systems engineers, software engineers, satellite integration specialists, RF engineers, program managers. Heavy emphasis on security clearances — most space roles require Secret or TS/SCI.
**Pay**: Highest base salaries among defense primes. Aerospace engineers: $140K-$165K. Senior propulsion: $133K avg. Add pension, 401(k) matching, and clearance premiums. Total lifetime compensation including pension often exceeds equity-rich new space roles.
**Culture**: Structured, stable, and process-oriented. Standard 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off). Strong internal mobility — you can move between divisions without leaving the company. Intern-to-full-time conversion: 76%.
## 6. Airbus — 722 jobs
**What they do**: Europe's counterpart to Boeing — commercial aircraft, defense, and a major space division. Airbus Defence and Space builds Ariane rockets, earth observation satellites, Orion European Service Module, and recently won a 340-satellite order from Eutelsat/OneWeb.
**Why they're hiring**: OneWeb constellation expansion (440 new satellites on order), Ariane 6 production ramp, and ongoing earth observation programs. Airbus is also building Copernicus Next Generation satellites for the EU.
**Pay**: Similar to Thales — European salary levels with strong benefits and work-life balance. UK and German offices pay more than French and Spanish locations.
## 7. Telespazio — 300 jobs
**What they do**: Satellite services and operations, ground station management, earth observation data services. Joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%).
**Roles**: Satellite controllers, ground segment engineers, data analysts, RF engineers. Primarily European-based operations.
## 8. Rocket Lab — 293 jobs
**What they do**: The second most active commercial launch provider after SpaceX. Electron small-launch vehicle (50+ missions), Neutron medium-lift vehicle (first launch mid-2026), and a growing spacecraft division (Photon satellite bus).
**Why they're hiring**: Neutron development is the primary driver. The new Launch Complex 3 at Wallops, VA opened in August 2025, and Rocket Lab is ramping to 3 Neutron missions in 2026 with plans for 5-7 per year by 2027. Meanwhile, Electron launch cadence continues to increase.
**Who they hire**: Propulsion, avionics, structures, software, manufacturing, launch operations. Key sites: Long Beach CA (HQ, Neutron), Auckland NZ (Electron), Wallops VA (Neutron launch), and a growing presence in Albuquerque, NM.
**Pay**: Average engineer salary ~$104K. Software engineers $140K-$161K. Rocket Lab is publicly traded (RKLB), so employees get stock options with immediate liquidity — unlike SpaceX's illiquid equity. Intern-to-full-time conversion: 79%.
**Culture**: Fast-paced startup energy with New Zealand roots. Smaller teams mean more ownership and faster career growth. CEO Peter Beck is hands-on. Less intense than SpaceX but more demanding than defense primes.
## 9. Boeing — 286 jobs
**What they do**: SLS (Space Launch System) for Artemis, Starliner crew capsule, military satellites, and ISS operations support. Boeing's space division has faced challenges — Starliner's troubled development and SLS cost overruns — but remains a major employer.
**Recent context**: Boeing laid off ~400 SLS-related positions in 2025. Starliner completed its first crewed test flight but questions remain about the program's long-term viability alongside SpaceX's Dragon.
**Pay**: $120K-$160K for aerospace engineers. $130K avg for propulsion. Strong benefits including pension (for eligible employees), 401(k), and comprehensive healthcare. Intern-to-full-time conversion: 83%.
**Culture**: Large corporate environment. The space division carries more uncertainty than Boeing's defense or commercial aircraft segments. Structured career progression with clear promotion timelines.
## 10. Relativity Space — 283 jobs
**What they do**: Building Terran R, a fully reusable, 3D-printed medium-lift rocket. Relativity's core innovation is using massive metal 3D printers (Stargate) to manufacture rockets with 100x fewer parts than traditional methods.
**Why they're hiring**: Terran R development is in full swing. The company pivoted from the small Terran 1 (which flew once in 2023) to the much larger Terran R, targeting first flight in 2026-2027. This requires scaling the engineering team significantly.
**Pay**: ~$134K avg for propulsion engineers. $130K-$170K for software. Higher base salaries than SpaceX with equity upside as a late-stage private company.
**Culture**: Silicon Valley startup energy. Strong engineering culture with emphasis on rapid iteration and manufacturing innovation. Long Beach, CA headquarters with a new production facility.
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## Beyond the top 10: fast-growing companies to watch
| Company | Active Jobs | What They Do |
|---------|------------|--------------|
| Firefly Aerospace | 202 | Alpha rocket, Elytra orbital vehicle |
| The Aerospace Corporation | 188 | FFRDC for Space Force |
| CesiumAstro | 174 | Phased array communications |
| Sierra Space | 134 | Dream Chaser spaceplane |
| Astranis | 125 | GEO microsatellites for broadband |
| Vast | 124 | Haven-1 commercial space station |
| ICEYE | 120 | SAR satellite constellation |
| True Anomaly | 117 | Space domain awareness |
| Axiom Space | 81 | Commercial ISS modules, private missions |
| Planet Labs | 74 | Earth observation constellation |
Several of these — Vast (124 jobs), True Anomaly (117), and CesiumAstro (174) — are scaling rapidly from relatively small teams, meaning individual hires have outsized impact and career growth potential.
## How to choose: defense vs. commercial vs. startup
| Factor | Defense Primes | Commercial (SpaceX, Blue) | Startups (Rocket Lab, Relativity) |
|--------|---------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Base salary | Highest ($140K-$165K) | Moderate ($95K-$149K) | Moderate ($104K-$170K) |
| Total comp | Pension + stability | Equity upside (illiquid) | Public stock or late-stage equity |
| Hours | 40/week (9/80 schedule) | 50-70/week | 45-55/week |
| Job security | Very high | High (for SpaceX) | Variable |
| Career growth | Slow, structured | Fast but flat hierarchy | Fastest |
| Clearance value | Essential | Not required | Rarely needed |
| Work impact | Often classified | Visible (launches, Starlink) | Visible (smaller team = more ownership) |
**Choose defense primes if**: You want maximum base salary, pension, work-life balance, and long-term stability. Ideal for family-focused engineers and those with security clearances.
**Choose SpaceX/Blue Origin if**: You want to work on hardware that flies, accept intense hours for brand value and equity upside, and thrive in fast-paced environments.
**Choose startups if**: You want ownership and rapid career growth, are comfortable with risk, and want to shape a company's technical direction early.
Browse [all 11,276 active space jobs](/search) across 88 companies, or filter by employer: [SpaceX](/space-jobs-at-spacex), [Blue Origin](/space-jobs-at-blue-origin), [Northrop Grumman](/space-jobs-at-northrop-grumman), [Rocket Lab](/space-jobs-at-rocket-lab), or [RTX](/space-jobs-at-rtx-raytheon-collins-pratt-whitney). For salary data, see our [space jobs salary guide](/blog/space-jobs-that-pay-well-2025), [aerospace engineer salary breakdown](/blog/salary-of-an-aerospace-engineer-2026), or [SpaceX salary analysis](/blog/spacex-careers-2026).
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*Source: [Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com), the job board for space, defense, AI, robotics and frontier-tech companies.*