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Head-to-head

Rocket Lab vs Vast

Which pays more, which is easier to get into, and which fits the work you want. Compared on the pay each states, the kind of company, where each hires, and the roles open right now.

Rocket Lab logoRocket Lab
vs
Vast logoVast

Rocket Lab vs Vast: the short answer

, SpaceIndustry.jobs lists 486 open Rocket Lab roles (typical pay $58.2k to $153k a year, median $100k) and 177 open Vast roles (typical pay $91.5k to $160k a year, median $112k).

Vast pays more on typical work ($91.5k–$160k/yr typical (live median $112000) vs Rocket Lab's $58.2k–$153k/yr typical (live median $100000)), a 58% chance on the rates the two boards state, and its ceiling is higher too.

What we know does not show which of the two hires more of the people who apply. Rocket Lab is a launch & propulsion; Vast is a spacecraft & stations.

Both hire for Technicians, Avionics, Systems & Test, Launch & Ops, and Mechanical; Rocket Lab also covers Propulsion.

Right now Rocket Lab has more live roles (486 vs 177).

Bottom line: Vast pays more, so pick Vast for the higher rate, or Rocket Lab if its specific work fits you better.

Rocket Lab vs Vast, live figures as of 29 Oct 2026
 Rocket LabVast
Typical pay$58.2k–$153k/yr typical (live median $100000)$91.5k–$160k/yr typical (live median $112000)
Type of companyLaunch & propulsion · Launch and spacecraftSpacecraft & stations · Space stations
Kinds of workPropulsion, Technicians, Avionics, Systems & Test, Launch & Ops, and MechanicalMechanical, Systems & Test, Technicians, Avionics, and Launch & Ops
Where it hiresLong Beach, CA; Auckland, New Zealand; Middle River, MD; Tucson, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Wallops Island, VALong Beach, Hawthorne and Mojave, CA
Open roles now486 live177 live
Employee ratingsSee its reviewSee its review

Pay shows each employer's live measured band where its board has enough roles that state pay, otherwise our compiled benchmark. How we compile pay.

$91.5k–$160k/yrTypical pay, live

Best for people looking for Mechanical and Systems & Test roles, with higher pay.

177 open roles now →

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Rocket Lab vs Vast: common questions

Which pays more, Rocket Lab or Vast?

Vast pays more on typical work ($91.5k–$160k/yr typical (live median $112000) vs Rocket Lab's $58.2k–$153k/yr typical (live median $100000)), a 58% chance on the rates the two boards state, and its ceiling is higher too.

Is Rocket Lab or Vast easier to get hired at?

What we know does not show which of the two hires more of the people who apply. Rocket Lab is a launch & propulsion; Vast is a spacecraft & stations.

Which has more open roles right now, Rocket Lab or Vast?

Right now Rocket Lab has more live roles (486 vs 177).

More comparisons

Ordered by what applying to these employers is worth, lifted by a referral boost for an employer that pays us a referral fee; it never changes what an employer pays you.