• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
How much astronauts actually get paid is shocking

Home> Science> Space

Published 12:24 31 Jan 2024 GMT

How much astronauts actually get paid is shocking

They're highly skilled and take on dangerous missions - so you'd expect astronauts would take home a healthy salary.

Prudence Wade

Prudence Wade

Ask a group of children what they want to be when they grow up, and we pretty much guarantee at least one will say 'astronaut'.

And apart from the dangerous elements of the job, we're sure any parent would be happy with that outcome.

After all, when you think about the amount of training and expertise that you need to become a true astronaut, you'd probably assume that it would come with a high degree of job security and a healthy salary.

Edwin Tan / Getty

Advert

It's a prestigious job, too - it's one of those industries where some of the most famous members become household names, from Buzz Aldrin to Chris Hadfield.

But surprising job listings from both the US and UK show that aspiring astronauts might only earn modest salaries.

According to a UK government website, junior astronauts could be on as little as £40,000 ($50,000) - which really isn't that much more than the median annual UK salary, £34,963 ($44,358) in April 2023.

And the salary for senior astronauts, according to the government site, tops out at around £86,000 ($110,000).

Advert

That said, the entry appears to have changed to now list a 'variable' salary, instead, so it's possible these were out-of-date stats that have been taken down.

Plus, there's lots of other factors at play - perhaps astronauts get promoted away from active spacefaring into management or coordination roles that pay more. But if the numbers are correct, it's a lot less than many of us would have assumed astronauts would be taking home.

Edwin Tan / Getty

In the US things are a little better. According to Space.com, civilian astronaut salaries at NASA start at around $81,216 (£64,019), going up to $146,757 (£115,673) for the most experienced astronauts.

Advert

That might mean that aspiring astronauts should aim to work in the US if they have a choice - after all, everyone knows NASA's name.

Still, we can't help but feel that these numbers in both countries will surprise most people, especially given how few astronauts there are - and how it's treated like the ultimate rockstar job.

Weirdly, once you're trained up, it's a surprisingly typical one in some ways - you'll work five-day weeks, even if you're literally floating around the International Space Station, with relatively normal hours.

That said, the stress on your body if you're up in zero gravity is considerable, and there's no way to overlook the amount of training you'll have to go through to get started.

Advert

With manned missions to the Moon now on the horizon for the first time in years, though, maybe extra interest in the area will push salaries up a little further, to make it even more attractive.

Featured Image Credit: quantic69/smile/Getty
Space
Nasa

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 days ago
3 days ago
  • 2 days ago

    Elon Musk doubles down on Mars mission update as he calls for ISS to be scrapped

    The Moon is just the first small step for man

    Science
  • 2 days ago

    Mind-blowing study suggests everything you see is actually from 15 seconds in the past

    Studies reveal that your brain is tricking you

    Science
  • 2 days ago

    Scientists spot mystery 'interstellar object' spotted hurtling towards our solar system

    This discovery would be just the third of its kind in history

    Science
  • 3 days ago

    Scientists discover horrifying find in human semen for the first time ever

    With more to be revealed as studies go on

    Science
  • How much astronauts actually get paid is shocking
  • Shocking amount of money Neil Armstrong made as the highest paid of astronauts to go to moon
  • Shocking amount of money stranded astronauts are likely to be paid after 8-day mission turned into 251 days
  • 'Stranded' NASA astronauts share shocking secret of near-catastrophic experience onboard Boeing Starliner