US NASA astronaut (senior, GS-15 pay grade)
How much does NASA astronaut (senior, GS-15 pay grade) make?
Answer: An experienced, senior NASA astronaut reaches GS-15 and earns about $170,618 a year, including Houston locality pay.
Yearly salary (2026)
$170,618
Official statistics This is one year's salary at the top pay grade for an experienced astronaut.
NASA astronaut (senior, GS-15 pay grade)$170,618
Typical person in the US$50,980
About 3.3× the Typical person in the US.
Per month, day, hour and second
Based on pay of about $170,618 in 2026| Per month | $14K |
|---|---|
| Per day | $467 |
| Per hour | $19.48 |
Calculated This spreads the year evenly over every hour, including sleep and days off. It is not pay per hour worked.
Compared with others
One day of pay (about $467) is about 3.3 days of pay for the typical person in the US. Calculated
| Name | Year | Amount | NASA astronaut (senior, GS-15 pay grade) earns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📊 NASA astronaut (civil servant, GS-13) | 2026 | $122,749 Yearly salary | 1.4× |
Ratios compare the same kind of figure (estimated total earnings with estimates, salary with salary), both in dollars (¥150 = $1). When years differ, each row shows its own year.
Who earns more?
Sources and data
Sources: opm.gov. “Estimated” figures come from news or magazines, not from the person.