Astronaut Compensation and Benefits

Civilian astronauts are expected to remain with NASA for at least five years and, during this tenure, are employees of the federal government. Advancement for most workers in the federal government is based on a system of occupational pay levels, or "grades." A general schedule, or GS, determines the salaries for 15 grades. Workers typically enter the federal civil service at the starting grade for an occupation and begin a career ladder of promotions until they reach the full-performance grade for that occupation. The pay grades for civilian astronauts are GS-11 through GS-14, based on academic achievements and experience. Currently, a GS-11 astronaut starts at $59,493 per year; a GS-14 astronaut can earn up to $130,257 per year.

Civilian astronauts may choose from a number of health plans and life insurance options; premium payments for these policies are partially offset by the government. Like all civil servants, astronauts hired after Jan. 1, 1984, participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a three-tiered retirement plan including Social Security, a pension plan and an optional Thrift Savings Plan.

Military astronauts are detailed to NASA for a specified tour of duty. They remain in active duty and receive their military pay, benefits and leave.

Astronauts of the Future

The space shuttle program will retire in 2010 and be replaced by the Constellation Program. Although this will mark the end of an era, it will not spell the end of astronauts. In fact, astronauts will remain the cornerstone of Constellation and will, if NASA has its way, return to the moon. However, unlike short-lived Apollo missions, astronauts of the future will stay on the moon for much longer, building outposts and paving the way for eventual journeys to Mars.

Without the shuttle, astronauts will need a new ride, and they'll get it in the form of a new, multifunctional spacecraft that can carry four astronauts to and from the moon, support up to six crewmembers on future missions to Mars and deliver crew and supplies to the International Space Station. Once a lunar outpost is established, crews could remain on the lunar surface for up to six months. What's the timeline for such an ambitious project? NASA is targeting 2020 as the year astronauts return to the moon.

If you think you would like to be among those brave men and women, then you should consider applying to be an astronaut. NASA is now accepting applications for its 2009 astronaut class. Although much of the work of this class will continue on the International Space Station, key responsibilities will include Constellation-related preparations and activities. But you should hurry: The deadline to apply is July 1, 2008.

For more information about space exploration and other related topics, shuttle over to the next page.