Trains for and flies on space missions, operating spacecraft, running experiments, performing spacewalks and supporting mission control on the ground. BLS does not publish separate figures for aerospace engineers; it counts them within aerospace engineer (SOC 17-2011), whose median pay is $134,960 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
- SOC 17-2011
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Astronaut in four numbers
- Median pay
- $134,960a year, or $64.89/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $87KTop 10% $206K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +8.3%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+8.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +8.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,80068,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202568.7K
- Projected 203574.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 68.7K Projected 2035 74.4K - Typical education
- Master'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Astronaut Candidate, NASA Astronaut, Commercial Astronaut, Mission Specialist, Spacecraft Pilot.
Pay
How much do Aerospace Engineers make?
Every astronaut in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$134,960
Middle half earn $106,110 to $169,690
- 10th
- $86,700
- 25th
- $106,110
- 75th
- $169,690
- 90th
- $205,890
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $86,700 |
| 25th | $106,110 |
| Median | $134,960 |
| 75th | $169,690 |
| 90th | $205,890 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $134,960
- Median hourly wage
- $64.89/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $142,060
- People employed
- 67,710
Versus all US occupations
At $134,960, Aerospace Engineers earn 165% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $83,980 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 30% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $205,890 or more while the bottom 10% earn $86,700, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 89% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Minnesota pays the most at $159,060, and still leads at $161,284 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Aerospace Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Minnesota | $159,060 | $161,284 | 140 |
| 2Washington | $158,370 | $147,991 | 5,760 |
| 3California | $157,620 | $142,359 | 9,170 |
| 4District of Columbia | $157,600 | $143,402 | 290 |
| 5Maryland | $156,750 | $149,344 | 3,180 |
| 6Colorado | $156,190 | $151,564 | 4,070 |
| 7Massachusetts | $149,470 | $141,333 | 990 |
| 8Vermont | $144,400 | $147,410 | 100 |
| 9Virginia | $143,210 | $141,646 | 2,540 |
| 10Georgia | $140,460 | $145,867 | 2,230 |
Job outlook
Is Astronaut a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +8.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineers | +8.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Aerospace Engineers to change 8.3% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.4× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 5,700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,800 openings are projected each year, 5.5% of the 68,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become an Astronaut
NASA's requirements include U.S. citizenship and a master's degree in a STEM field such as engineering, biological or physical science, computer science or mathematics, or an accepted alternative such as a medical degree or test pilot school. Applicants also need at least three years of related professional experience or pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft, and must pass the NASA long-duration spaceflight physical.
NASA opens applications on USAJOBS every few years, and selection is extremely competitive, so most applicants build a strong career as an engineer, scientist, physician or military pilot first. Commercial companies select their own crew.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Master's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
The work
What does an Astronaut do?
Astronauts fly to space, but most of their careers happen on the ground. After selection, NASA astronaut candidates complete about two years of basic training in spacecraft systems, spacewalking in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, robotics, survival training, Russian language and flying T-38 jets. Once eligible for assignment, they support missions from mission control, test hardware and help design future spacecraft.
On a mission to the International Space Station, astronauts run hundreds of scientific experiments, maintain the station, perform spacewalks and operate the robotic arm. NASA astronauts are also training for Artemis missions to the Moon. A small but growing number of commercial astronauts fly for private spaceflight companies.
Day-to-day tasks
- Train in spacecraft systems, spacewalks, robotics and emergency procedures
- Fly T-38 jets to maintain flying proficiency and decision-making skills
- Run scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station
- Perform spacewalks to maintain and upgrade spacecraft
- Operate robotic arms to capture visiting vehicles and move equipment
- Serve as capsule communicator in mission control
- Test and evaluate new spacecraft designs and procedures
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Astronauts are based at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and travel extensively for training in Russia, Europe, Japan and elsewhere. Training is physically and mentally demanding. Missions mean months living and working in a confined spacecraft, with risk, isolation and long separations from family.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Writing4.0
- Mathematics4.0
- Science4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Active Learning3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Operations Analysis3.9
- Systems Evaluation3.6
- Quality Control Analysis3.4
- Systems Analysis3.4
- Coordination3.3
- Technology Design3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.9 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.6 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.4 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Technology Design | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Astronaut?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RIS) built on O*NET's Aerospace Engineer profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Astronaut |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.0
- Realistic5.8
- Conventional4.4
- Enterprising2.5
- Artistic2.4
- Social2.3
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Astronaut
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician
$82,890median a year
Most earn $59K to $125K
+11.9%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician
$73,900median a year
Most earn $48K to $110K
+2.6%Associate's - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Architecture and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician
$74,510median a year
Most earn $48K to $106K
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More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with aerospace engineers highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Astronaut$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Astronaut | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Questions
Astronaut: frequently asked questions
How much do Aerospace Engineers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for aerospace engineers. It counts them within aerospace engineer, whose median pay is $134,960 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $106,110 and $169,690, and the top 10% earn $205,890 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Astronaut?
Yes. BLS reports a master's degree as the typical entry-level education for Aerospace Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation.
Is Astronaut a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 8.3% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Astronaut do?
Astronauts fly to space, but most of their careers happen on the ground. A typical task: train in spacecraft systems, spacewalks, robotics and emergency procedures. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Aerospace Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Aerospace Engineers are Minnesota ($159,060), Washington ($158,370), California ($157,620) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Astronaut?
O*NET scores Aerospace Engineers highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.