Discover how much NASA compensates its astronauts for their expertise, rigorous training, and the inherent risks of space exploration, including missions with SpaceX. I’ll provide an in-depth look at their salaries and benefits, shedding light on what makes this career both challenging and rewarding.
A NASA employee’s annual salary depends on their grade, falling between GS-12 and GS-13 on the Federal Government’s General Schedule pay scale. This means they earn between $68,299 and $81,216 a year!
Though it may not seem like it, astronauts can earn a six-figure salary. The highest-paid astronauts, at GS-15 Step 10, make $142,000 annually. This amount varies based on their role and performance within the astronaut corps.
Factors That Determine an Astronaut’s Salary
An astronaut’s salary depends on several factors.
Academic Achievements
A person’s grade depends on academic achievements and experience. Federal government agencies use grade systems to set salaries for white-collar workers. These grades have steps ranging from 1 to 10, varying by agency.
Experience
Former astronaut William “Bill” McArthur mentioned that civilians in the astronaut program might begin at the GS12/13 level. Typically, candidates need either three years of professional experience or 1,000 hours of jet aircraft flying.
Skills
Being selected is roughly 74 times harder than getting into Harvard. Interviewers, often astronauts themselves, seek people with specific skills and unique thinking styles.
What Do Astronauts Do?
Space travel, while appearing routine, is extremely dangerous. Astronauts are trained to operate spacecraft, live beyond Earth, and perform tasks vital for human space exploration. Each mission carries the risk of life-threatening failures.
The majority of an astronaut’s time is spent training. Initially, astronauts were seen as observers, documenting events. NASA soon realized human involvement is crucial for space exploration. Now, astronauts actively participate in every mission.