Head-to-head
NASA vs SpaceX
Which posts more pay, which has more jobs open and of which kinds, and where each one hires, read from both employers' own job boards.
NASA vs SpaceX: the short answer
, SpaceJobs.Now lists 8 open jobs at NASA (typical pay $124k to $203k a year, median $157k) and 2,591 open jobs at SpaceX (typical pay $110k to $245k a year, median $138k).
NASA posts higher pay on its open jobs ($124k–$203k/yr typical (live median $157k/yr) vs SpaceX's $110k–$245k/yr typical (live median $138k/yr)). Each median mixes every kind of job that employer has open, and they have no kind of job measured at both, so read the pay each listing states for your job.
Both hire in Texas, Florida and Maryland; NASA also hires in 3 other states, SpaceX in 7 others.
NASA hires most for mechanical, structures & thermal and SpaceX for manufacturing & technicians; both have mechanical, programs & business and quality jobs open.
Right now SpaceX has more open jobs (2,591 vs 8).
Bottom line: NASA for higher posted pay, SpaceX for more openings to choose from. Many people apply to both.
| NASA | SpaceX | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical posted pay, every kind of job | $124k–$203k/yr typical (live median $157k/yr) | $110k–$245k/yr typical (live median $138k/yr) |
| Open jobs now | 8 open | 2,591 open |
| Most open jobs in | Mechanical 2, Programs & Business 2, Quality 2 and Supply Chain 2 | Technicians 507, Supply Chain 497, Software & IT 422 and Programs & Business 359 |
| Kind of employer | Spacecraft & stations · The US civil space agency: science missions, human spaceflight, aeronautics and technology | Launch & propulsion · Launch and satellite broadband |
| Headquarters | Not listed | Not listed |
| Where it hires | Texas, Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi and New Jersey | 10 states |
| Pay on listings | 100% of its open roles state a salary | 53.2% of its open roles state a salary |
| How you apply | On its own careers site | On its own careers site |
Pay shows each employer's live measured band where its open jobs post enough hourly rates; it mixes every kind of job the employer has open, before shift differentials and bonuses. Where our pay data comes from.
Best for the widest choice of openings, above all for technicians.
2,591 open jobs now →Job alerts
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NASA vs SpaceX: common questions
Which pays more, NASA or SpaceX?
NASA posts higher pay on its open jobs ($124k–$203k/yr typical (live median $157k/yr) vs SpaceX's $110k–$245k/yr typical (live median $138k/yr)). Each median mixes every kind of job that employer has open, and they have no kind of job measured at both, so read the pay each listing states for your job.
Where do NASA and SpaceX hire?
NASA hires in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi and New Jersey; SpaceX in 10 states. Both hire in Texas, Florida and Maryland; NASA also hires in 3 other states, SpaceX in 7 others.
What jobs are NASA and SpaceX hiring for?
NASA hires most for mechanical, structures & thermal and SpaceX for manufacturing & technicians; both have mechanical, programs & business and quality jobs open.
Can you apply to both NASA and SpaceX?
Yes. They are separate employers, each with its own careers site, so applying to one does not affect an application at the other.