Astronauts who are employed by NASA begin their salaries in accordance with the U.S. government pay scale. Astronauts enter the field at a minimum classification of GS-11, which in 2024 paid a minimum of $62,107, according to the Office of Personnel Management General Schedule. As they gain experience, astronauts may advance up the classification chart to peak at GS-14, which pays between $104,604 and $135,987. Of course, there are opportunities outside NASA that may pay higher salaries. Astronauts who go to work in the private sector can often find positions with universities or private space laboratories that pay six-figure salaries.
In addition, astronauts receive the usual benefits, including vacations, sick leave, health insurance, retirement pensions, and bonuses for superior performance. Salaries for astronauts who are members of the armed forces consist of base pay, an allowance for housing and subsistence, and flight pay.
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Technicians
- Aerospace Engineers
- Aerospace Medicine Physicians
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Astrobiologists
- Astrogeologists
- Astronomers
- Astrophysicists
- Avionics Engineers
- Avionics Technicians
- Biologists
- Build Reliability Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemists
- Computer Programmers
- Drone Engineers
- Drone Manufacturing Workers
- Drone Pilots
- Drone Repair Technicians
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Electronics Engineers
- Engineers
- Flight Instructors
- Geographic Information Systems Specialists
- Hypersonics Engineers
- Hypersonics Technicians
- Industrial Engineers
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Manufacturing Engineering Technologists
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Materials Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Physicists
- Pilots
- Reusable Spacecraft System Designers and Engineers
- Robotics Engineers
- Robotics Technicians
- Space Habitat Designers
- Space Lawyers
- Space Meteorologist
- Space Pilots
- Space Port Managers
- Space Systems Operators
- Space Tourism Managers
- Spacecraft Test Technicians