NASA astronauts are among the most elite professionals in the world, but their salaries might not be what you expect.
When kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, many will answer: “astronaut.” It’s not surprising, considering how fascinating space can be. What kid wouldn’t want to travel to the Moon in a spaceship? In reality, though, only a select few ever make it. It’s a highly specialized role, and for those who do, it requires years of preparation, education, and expertise.
As four crew members on the historic Artemis II mission continue their journey, interest has surged, not just in the mission itself, but also in how much astronauts are paid to do one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.
NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and the Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen launched on Wednesday (1 April) aboard a 322-foot rocket, beginning their journey beyond Earth’s orbit. After spending their first 25 hours circling the planet, during which they described the views to mission control as “phenomenal,” the crew set course for the Moon.
“You represent the absolute best of us”
The Orion spacecraft was sent roughly 4,000 miles beyond the Moon, completing a historic flyby on Monday (6 April). At its furthest point, the mission takes the crew approximately 252,000 miles into space. While Artemis II does not include a lunar landing, the mission is a critical step toward future Moon missions.
“On behalf of NASA and space-loving people across the world, thank you for taking us with you to the moon,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said on Tuesday, thanking them for everything they’ve done throughout the mission so far, according to CNN. “Thank you for your courage, all of your beautiful words that we’ve heard. You represent the absolute best of us. We are proud of you, and we look forward to welcoming you back safely to the good Earth very soon. Godspeed and Go Artemis II.”
NASA astronauts yearly salary
Despite the scale and risk of the work, astronauts are not earning millions. According to the BBC, NASA astronauts currently earn $152,258 per year. The figure, listed on NASA’s website as the 2024 pay rate, may have changed since, but no updated number has been confirmed, according to Tyla. Their salaries are based on the federal government’s “General Schedule” pay scale, according to NJ News, a system used to determine compensation for government employees. Pay levels are adjusted over time and typically depend on factors such as job difficulty, experience, and location.
The Canadian Space Agency uses a similar structure, dividing astronauts into three levels: entry, qualified, and senior. Salaries range from $97,100 to $189,600.
For a role that involves leaving Earth’s atmosphere, and accepting the very real risk of death, the compensation may seem surprisingly modest. But for many astronauts, the job is less about money and more about being part of history.
READ MORE
- Pilot’s 3-word message after Iran shot down F-15E revealed
- Bone-chilling effects space could have on Artemis II astronauts
