Do astronauts get paid the entire time they are on orbit or is it a set wage like the military? The highest-paid astronauts earn a salary of $117,810, but the experience of working for NASA can be priceless. Classed as civil servants, they get paid exactly the same as any other Federal Government worker and are placed on a fixed pay scale based on experience. latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more, Free online tool calculates risk of Covid-19 spreading in badly-ventilated areas, Mum’s ‘game changing’ hack turns iPhone into a document scanner, The Lust List: new tech we want this week, Ancient tomb belonging to Egyptian queen contains sarcophagi and Book of the Dead scroll, WhatsApp rolls back update deadline because everyone’s ‘confused’, currently looking at the next generation of astronauts to go back to the moon and eventually to Mars. His landing experience this time will be much different than the return from his first mission in 2009. The pay grades for civilian astronauts are GS-11 through GS-14, based on academic achievements and experience. In fact, most of NASA’s astronauts are paid less than that. If you move up to GS-12 step 10, then you’re in line for a $86,021 (£70,326) per year. If an astronaut has worked for NASA their entire career they will have worked there for roughly 10 years. Astronauts also have to get comfortable in the puffy white suits that astronauts wear when they go on space walks. Their pay, benefits and leave are calculated according to active duty status. First of all, they test all of us for claustrophobia prior to selecting us as astronauts. SpaceX has spent 'hundreds of millions' extra in building astronaut capsule for NASA, Elon Musk says Published Thu, Oct 10 2019 9:17 PM EDT Updated Fri, … Boeing's astronaut taxi will cost NASA about 60% more per seat than SpaceX's vehicle will, according to a new report by the space agency's Office of Inspector General. Nasa pays employees on a scale called the Federal Government’s General Schedule. Currently, a GS-12 starts at $65,140 per year and a GS-13 can earn up to $100,701 per year. Astronauts are on so-called ‘grades’ known as GS-12 and GS-13. According to NASA.gov, there are tiers where the salary of an astronaut is based. The average astronaut gross salary in South Africa is R293,867 or an equivalent hourly rate of R141. Based on experience an astronaut's step could be anywhere from 5 to 10. However, experienced astronauts can earn approximately $144,566 every year. Civilian astronaut candidates are paid according to the federal General Schedule pay system, which has 15 fixed pay grades of GS-1 (lowest) through GS-15 (highest). A. Nasa pays employees on a scale called the Federal Government’s General Schedule. In addition to competitive salaries, NASA employees are civil-service employees and are therefore entitled to a number of benefits. ‘The Demo-2 mission will be the final major step before NASA’s Commercial Crew Program certifies Crew Dragon for operational, long-duration missions to the space station,’ the space agency said. Astronauts earn between $40,000 and $82,000 a year, based on the civil service pay scale GS-11 to GS-14. Often, they’re test pilots – it’s required that any astronaut has logged three years’ professional experience or 1,000 hours flying a jet before they can qualify. This low pay actually makes a lot of sense. Astronauts’ annual salaries are determined using a government pay scale, and starting out, typically fall under two grades: GS-12 and GS-13. NavySpaceFan Member . Paid Partner. The military astronauts are paid according to their rank and branch of service, and make between $68,000 and $94,000, according to public data on military salaries. Second, Steps are based on tenure in the government. There are a lot of people who want to be astronauts and only a limited number of seats on a rocketship. While it’s true that there are so many cool perks that come with the profession, it remains unclear just how much NASA’s astronauts are paid. Read on below to see how this number was calculated. In fact, most of NASA’s astronauts are paid less than that. Within each grade are several ‘steps’ that go form 1 to 10 and are based on performance and years of service. As of 2011, astronauts are paid a minimum of $89,100 Canadian ($80,897) in Grade 1 and a maximum of $174,000 Canadian ($158,470) in Grade 3. How does the Law Enforcement Officer Pay Scale Work. To become an astronaut, I think, that like we say here to the young people, I don't know how old you are, but one of the key points is really the only way to do it is that you have to learn, you have to work at school, and university, and get as many degrees as you can. Astronauts may receive more or less depending on which locations they work in or what missions they’re involved in. Many kids grow up wanting to be firemen, policemen, doctors, and you guessed it, astronauts! In the GS pay scale, there are 3 factors that go into calculating your pay: We will go over each of these factors before putting them all together to calculate an astronaut’s pay. NASA astronauts fall in the GS-12 or GS-13 pay grade. The average astronaut age is 34 (source:http://astronauts.nasa.gov/content/faq.htm). Astronauts are required to be in peak physical and mental condition, they have to endure long periods of time away from home, and they have to complete grueling training. Above GS-15, the Senior Executive Service (SES) pay scale is used. Nasa pays employees on a scale called the Federal Government’s General Schedule. Additionally, depending on how long the astronaut has worked for NASA, their step will vary as well. They get paid depending on what was accomplished during the mission. Next week’s launch will be a huge moment for both Nasa and SpaceX. NASA astronauts work at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The finally factor affecting pay is locality. The highest-paid GS-14 employees earn a salary of $117,810. Astronauts have Ph.D’s and a lot of specialized training, so they qualify for one of these two grades. Astronaut pay could anywere from $89,693 to $122,336. Because astronaut is one of the most sought-after jobs in the whole world, you do not have to pay them very much – many people would probably do it for free! Once they make it though, they get paid a lot for their work. Then your step increases over time even if you do not get a promotion (grade increase). Now, if you’re an excellent astronaut and have served for many years, you may be a GS-13 step 10 earning $102,288 (£83,625) per year, according to Nasa. SES pay scale is used for heads of departments and other appointed positions. Currently, a GS-11 astronaut starts at $64,724 per year; a GS-14 astronaut can earn up to $141,715 in annual salary [source: NASA ]. Within each grade are several ‘steps’ that go form 1 to 10 and are based on performance and years of service. Locality Adjustments account for different costs of living around the country. The ESA astronaut position is classified in the A2/A4 grade band of the Coordinated Organizations’ salary scale. How Much Do the Highest-Paid Astronauts Make? Starting salaries for astronauts can be over $66,000 per year. Answer by Garrett Reisman, former NASA astronaut, on Quora: That's an interesting question. They’re also required to have degrees in science, engineering or maths and have to pass a rigorous selection process that’s much harder than getting into any university you care to name. If NASA had trouble finding people willing to go to space, they might have to raise the salary. View the full Houston GS Pay Table. Salaries for civilian Astronaut Candidates are based on the Federal Government's General Schedule pay scale for grades GS-12 through GS-13. You typically start at Step 1 regardless of your grade. How much do astronauts get paid? Nasa is currently looking at the next generation of astronauts to go back to the moon and eventually to Mars. The Payoff. So comparatively, the Apollo-11 astronauts were well paid. Military astronaut candidates are typically commissioned officers with a … Starting salaries begin at just over $66,000 … Once they make it though, they get paid a lot for their work. However, numerous astronauts that are selected have a military background, and like anybody in the military, they are granted a pay grade depending upon their deployment status. Astronauts are required to be in peak physical and mental condition, they have to endure long periods of time away from home, and they have to complete grueling training. Military astronauts are put on active duty status and are paid accordingly. In a job listing, the space agency listed a salary range of $104,898 to $161,141 per year. © 2021 FederalPay.org. Upon entering the ESA Astronaut Corps, new recruits will generally be paid at the A2 level. Steps range from 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest paid. Each person's grade is determined according to his/her academic achievements and experience. Is this article incomplete or outdated? All rights reserved. There is a Houston Locality Area that receives a significant increase over the base pay amount. ‘This certification and regular operation of Crew Dragon will enable NASA to continue the important research and technology investigations taking place onboard the station, which benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future exploration of the Moon and Mars with the agency’s Artemis program.’, Get your need-to-know For all this, you might expect an Astronauts to be paid like rock stars or professional athletes; however, that is not the case! Military astronauts are designated to the Johnson Space Center in Houston and their pay depends on their active duty status for pay, leave, benefits and other military matters. Usage is subject to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The General Schedule is also just a guide. For example, captains earn between $44,544 and $72,468 in the Air Force, and colonels earn between … NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik will be returning from the International Space Station and landing on Earth on December 14. View sitemap, FederalPay is a free public resource site and is not affiliated with the United States government or any Government agency, http://astronauts.nasa.gov/content/faq.htm, What to Know Before Quitting a Government Job. Nasa pays employees on a scale called the Federal Government’s General Schedule. GS grade can vary based on the astronaut’s background and education. Following the successful completion of the basic astronaut training, the recruit will be paid in accordance with the grade A3. As of 2015, Houston receives a 28.71% increase over the base pay amount. Within each grade are several ‘steps’ that go form 1 to 10 and are based on performance and years of service. This means that an astronaut’s pay is capped at just over 150k. According the US government’s 2020 pay scales and a NASA job listing, a civilian astronaut in 2020 can earn between $66,167 and $161,141 per year. It will be the first time Nasa has launched astronauts from American soil since 2011. Well, you have to remember that astronaut isn’t usually someone’s first job. Astronauts' annual salaries are determined using a government pay scale, and starting out, typically fall under two grades: GS-12 and GS-13. It is simple supply and demand. Join in for the big reveal as we detail just how much work needs to be put before one qualifies as an astronaut. Exercising is more than a way to pass time in space: It’s … Astronauts are on so-called ‘grades’ known as GS-12 and GS-13. Astronauts are on so-called ‘grades’ known as GS-12 and GS-13. Since retiring the space shuttle, Nasa has relied on Russian rockets to transport crew to the ISS. When Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins blasted off on their trip to the moon in July 1969, they were being paid by the U.S. government. Exercise is a vital part of the job. A ballpark figure would be an O-5 or O-6 with 15 years of service. Two astronauts, Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken, are set to earn their paychecks later this month when they take off for the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft for the first time. Once they make it though, they get paid a lot for their work. Posts: 655 From: Norfolk, VA Registered: May 2007: posted 03-18-2011 02:03 PM As far as the military astronauts go, they get paid the same way they would in the service, no difference. First, GS grades range from 1 to 15 with 15 being the highest paid. And so if there was a planned spacewalk and the spacewalk did not go as planned, their pay would get docked. Astronaut candidates also learn about space station systems, robotics and more. NASA expects to pay a significantly higher price per astronaut when flying with Boeing as opposed to SpaceX, an agency official told CNBC on Tuesday. A NASA astronaut is paid $89,693 to $122,336 per year based on education and experience level. This grade is given to high level scientists with advanced degrees/training. Read on below to see how this number was calculated. If you’re a new astronaut on GS-12 step 1, then you’re looking at $66,167 (£54,110) per year. Once they make it though, they get paid a lot for their work. The launch is set to take place on May 27 from Cape Canaveral in Florida. In addition, they earn an average bonus of R6,730. As NASA writes on its official benefits page, “Your NASA job is the greatest benefit of all. Astronauts have to risk their lives for the job, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that they get paid pretty well for the work they do. On his first mission, Bresnik returned to Earth with a crew of six on a NASA Space Shuttle. The Government paid 40 percent of the costs even though two of the astronauts were in the military and their families therefore could not sue for wrongful death. After 10 years in the GS pay scale, you will have advanced to step 7. NASA Astronauts are pain on the General Service (GS) pay scale. And Pettit said it's nothing like you see in the movies. Average Salary of an Astronaut: £40,000 to £86,000 a year A NASA astronaut is paid $89,693 to $122,336 per year based on education and experience level. Help improve this article by contacting us with your suggestions. Skylon Now we have all the pieces needed to determine an astronaut’s pay: As of 2015, GS-13, Step 7 in Houston locality is paid $112,926. GS-14 and GS-15 is reserved for upper management positions in the government. According to NASA, civilian astronauts are awarded a pay grade of anywhere from GS-11 to GS-14, so the income range is relatively wide. The Benefits of Being an Astronaut. 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