The compensation for astronauts involved with SpaceX missions can vary significantly depending on their employer. While SpaceX does not publicly disclose specific salaries for any directly employed astronauts, such as test pilots, astronauts flying on SpaceX spacecraft for missions like those to the International Space Station are typically employed by government agencies like NASA.
These astronauts are compensated by their respective agencies, not directly by SpaceX for their flight assignments. For instance, NASA astronauts, who frequently utilize SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft for missions, are federal employees. Their salaries are determined by the United States federal government's General Schedule (GS) pay scale.
NASA Astronaut Salaries (GS-13 Pay Scale)
As of 2022, a significant number of NASA astronauts fall into the GS-13 pay grade. The annual, monthly, and hourly compensation for astronauts at this level is detailed below:
| Pay Period | Salary Range (2022) |
|---|---|
| Annually | $81,216 to $105,579 |
| Monthly | Up to $8,798.25 |
| Hourly | Up to $50.59 |
It's important to note that an astronaut's exact GS level (ranging from GS-11 to GS-14) is determined by their academic achievements, experience, and other qualifications.
Understanding Private Company Compensation
Unlike government agencies, private aerospace companies like SpaceX typically do not publicize their employee salary structures. If SpaceX were to directly employ astronauts for specific roles (beyond what is covered by contracts with agencies like NASA), their compensation would be determined by the company's internal policies, market rates for specialized aerospace professionals, and individual negotiations. This private sector compensation often differs from federal government pay scales.
For more information on general astronaut career paths and compensation structures for NASA astronauts, you can refer to resources from NASA Careers.
