do astronauts get paid

His landing experience this time will be much different than the return from his first mission in 2009. 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. This means that an astronaut’s pay is capped at just over 150k. In fact, most of NASA’s astronauts are paid less than that. 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. 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. Their pay, benefits and leave are calculated according to active duty status. Is this article incomplete or outdated? The average astronaut age is 34 (source:http://astronauts.nasa.gov/content/faq.htm). The General Schedule is also just a guide. The average astronaut gross salary in South Africa is R293,867 or an equivalent hourly rate of R141. Salaries for civilian Astronaut Candidates are based on the Federal Government's General Schedule pay scale for grades GS-12 through GS-13. NASA astronauts work at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Then your step increases over time even if you do not get a promotion (grade increase). Answer by Garrett Reisman, former NASA astronaut, on Quora: That's an interesting question. Astronauts earn between $40,000 and $82,000 a year, based on the civil service pay scale GS-11 to GS-14. Do astronauts get paid the entire time they are on orbit or is it a set wage like the military? If you move up to GS-12 step 10, then you’re in line for a $86,021 (£70,326) per year. 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. Within each grade are several ‘steps’ that go form 1 to 10 and are based on performance and years of service. It will be the first time Nasa has launched astronauts from American soil since 2011. 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. Within each grade are several ‘steps’ that go form 1 to 10 and are based on performance and years of service. Astronauts are on so-called ‘grades’ known as GS-12 and GS-13. The finally factor affecting pay is locality. Following the successful completion of the basic astronaut training, the recruit will be paid in accordance with the grade A3. Additionally, depending on how long the astronaut has worked for NASA, their step will vary as well. As NASA writes on its official benefits page, “Your NASA job is the greatest benefit of all. Paid Partner. After 10 years in the GS pay scale, you will have advanced to step 7. 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. Locality Adjustments account for different costs of living around the country. However, experienced astronauts can earn approximately $144,566 every year. SES pay scale is used for heads of departments and other appointed positions. Once they make it though, they get paid a lot for their work. Read on below to see how this number was calculated. 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. The pay grades for civilian astronauts are GS-11 through GS-14, based on academic achievements and experience. Many kids grow up wanting to be firemen, policemen, doctors, and you guessed it, astronauts! First, GS grades range from 1 to 15 with 15 being the highest paid. There are a lot of people who want to be astronauts and only a limited number of seats on a rocketship. © 2021 FederalPay.org. Second, Steps are based on tenure in the government. Next week’s launch will be a huge moment for both Nasa and SpaceX. The Benefits of Being an Astronaut. 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. The ESA astronaut position is classified in the A2/A4 grade band of the Coordinated Organizations’ salary scale. For example, captains earn between $44,544 and $72,468 in the Air Force, and colonels earn between … How does the Law Enforcement Officer Pay Scale Work. Usage is subject to our Terms and Privacy Policy. In fact, most of NASA’s astronauts are paid less than that. 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. On his first mission, Bresnik returned to Earth with a crew of six on a NASA Space Shuttle. Military astronaut candidates are typically commissioned officers with a … Average Salary of an Astronaut: £40,000 to £86,000 a year 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. 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. 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. A NASA astronaut is paid $89,693 to $122,336 per year based on education and experience level. In addition, they earn an average bonus of R6,730. Starting salaries for astronauts can be over $66,000 per year. Nasa pays employees on a scale called the Federal Government’s General Schedule. The highest-paid GS-14 employees earn a salary of $117,810. 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. 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! You typically start at Step 1 regardless of your grade. In addition to competitive salaries, NASA employees are civil-service employees and are therefore entitled to a number of benefits. Steps range from 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest paid. Help improve this article by contacting us with your suggestions. All rights reserved. The highest-paid astronauts earn a salary of $117,810, but the experience of working for NASA can be priceless. Upon entering the ESA Astronaut Corps, new recruits will generally be paid at the A2 level. If an astronaut has worked for NASA their entire career they will have worked there for roughly 10 years. First of all, they test all of us for claustrophobia prior to selecting us as astronauts. Each person's grade is determined according to his/her academic achievements and experience. Read on below to see how this number was calculated. A. ‘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. Currently, a GS-12 starts at $65,140 per year and a GS-13 can earn up to $100,701 per year. Astronauts have Ph.D’s and a lot of specialized training, so they qualify for one of these two grades. 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. NavySpaceFan Member . NASA Astronauts are pain on the General Service (GS) pay scale. Competitive salaries, NASA employees are civil-service do astronauts get paid and are based on education experience! Doctors, and you guessed it, astronauts astronauts earn between $ 40,000 and 82,000... Reisman, former NASA astronaut is paid $ 89,693 to $ 122,336 per based... Recruits will generally be paid at the A2 level experienced astronauts can earn approximately $ 144,566 every.. Education and experience 28.71 % increase over the base pay amount time NASA has astronauts... Civil service pay scale, you will have advanced to step 7 rate R141... Be over $ 66,000 per year, steps are based on the Federal Government s... 'S grade is given to high level scientists with advanced degrees/training GS grades from. 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