What Does a NASA Scientist Make Per Year?

What Does a NASA Scientist Make Per Year?

When most people hear “NASA,” they think of astronauts going into space. The astronauts get the headlines, but they couldn’t go into space without the work of NASA’s scientists. You’ve seen some of them depicted in space movies, showing the nervous ground control group monitoring space missions and communicating with the astronauts. Behind each of these people are scientists who do the research and compile the data that’s used during missions. Many of the innovations NASA scientists produce also have practical applications in our everyday lives.

Job Description

In addition to performing all the research and testing that precludes any space mission, NASA scientists work to solve the mysteries of how the universe works and the pressing question of whether there’s life on other planets or in other galaxies. Like most scientists, those at NASA often specialize in an area of interest to them.

As a NASA scientist, you might study clusters of galaxies, stellar explosions or X-ray emission from astrophysical objects like black holes. Or, you could explore neighboring planets, comets and asteroids, see what can be learned by delving into deep space or monitor space debris that could interfere with NASA space missions. NASA looks for creative team players because, often, you’ll work on a team with engineers and other scientists.

While working on NASA projects, you might devise ways to help earthbound people, too. For example, scientists who researched solar-powered aircraft helped improve the cells used today in solar energy.

Education Requirements

To be hired as a NASA scientist, you need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, geology, space science or a similar field. With a master’s degree or a Ph.D., however, you’ll start at a higher salary.

NASA employees are paid according to the General Schedule (GS) used by most federal agencies. Your starting salary would depend on your level of college degree, grade point average, special honors and work experience. Each GS level has 10 steps, with salary increases at each step.

For example, to start at GS-7, which has a salary range of $35,854 to $46,609 in its 10 steps, you need to have one of the following in addition to a bachelor’s degree: one year of professional experience at GS-5 or higher as determined by the NASA evaluator, a GPA of at least 2.9 out of 4.0 when you apply or in your last two years of college, a GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 in your major or election to a non-freshman honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

To start at GS-9, with a salary range of $43,847 to $57,015, you need one of the following: a master’s degree or two full academic years of study in a related field, one year of professional experience in a related field with responsibility equivalent to GS-7 level or higher or a combination of education and experience.

With a Ph.D. or three full academic years of graduate study, or one year of professional experience in a related field at the GS-9 level or higher, or a combination of work and education, you could start at GS-11. The salary range at this level is $53,062 to $68,983.

It’s possible to be hired at levels G-12 to G-15 if you have a Ph.D. and work experience equivalent in responsibility to the level below. Salaries are:

• GS-12: $63,600 to $82,680
• GS-13: $75,628 to $98,317
• GS-14: $89,370 to $116,181
• GS-15: $105,123 to $136,659

The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated the median salary for physicists in May 2017 as $118,830 and $100,590 for astronomers, who are also called astrophysicists. A median salary is a midpoint in a list of salaries for one occupation where half of the salaries are higher and half are lower. In June 2018, NASA announced job openings for a research astrophysicist with a salary range of $96,970 to $148,967 and a physical scientist with a salary ranging from $134,789 to $164,200.

If you work in a location where the cost of living is higher than the national average, you’ll receive a pay adjustment to help offset the extra cost.

About the Industry

Working at NASA doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll work at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., or the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where mission control and related space flight work take place. NASA also has centers in California, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Maryland and Ohio.

Most of the time, you’ll work in an office, conducting research or collaborating with other scientists, engineers and computer professionals. You’ll have access to advanced tools and equipment and will use both ground-based and space telescopes.

Years of Experience

NASA considers the level of work and the responsibility you handle, rather than years of work, in determining and increasing salaries. The federal government’s General Schedule of payment shows the salary increases that come with experience. As you progress in your career and take on extra responsibility or perform higher-level tasks, you can rise to level GS-12 and higher. The median salary stated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and those advertised by NASA as shown in the education section are over $100,000, which is level GS-14 and above. However, to get to that level of work would require advanced study, many years on the job or a combination of the two.

Job Growth Trend

Opportunities for physicists, astrophysicists and astronomers are expected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is significantly faster than employment in general. However, that growth projection is for all employers, not only NASA. As with all jobs for physicists and astrophysicists, jobs at NASA are competitive, even for those with advanced degrees. Entry-level jobs are always tough to break into. A high GPA, an advanced degree and internships or work experience involving unusual or cutting-edge research could be a plus that sets you apart from other candidates.

References

Writer Bio

Barbara Bean-Mellinger is a freelance writer who lives in the Washington, D.C. area. She writes about business and career topics for bizfluent.com, careertrend.com, Harbor Style Magazine, the Charlotte Sun and more. Barbara holds a B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh and has won numerous awards in B2B and B2C marketing.