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 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 | Vast | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical pay | $58.2k–$153k/yr typical (live median $100000) | $91.5k–$160k/yr typical (live median $112000) |
| Type of company | Launch & propulsion · Launch and spacecraft | Spacecraft & stations · Space stations |
| Kinds of work | Propulsion, Technicians, Avionics, Systems & Test, Launch & Ops, and Mechanical | Mechanical, Systems & Test, Technicians, Avionics, and Launch & Ops |
| Where it hires | Long Beach, CA; Auckland, New Zealand; Middle River, MD; Tucson, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Wallops Island, VA | Long Beach, Hawthorne and Mojave, CA |
| Open roles now | 486 live | 177 live |
| Employee ratings | See its review | See 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.
Best for people looking for Propulsion and Technicians roles.
486 open roles now →Best for people looking for Mechanical and Systems & Test roles, with higher pay.
177 open roles now →Some links on this site are referral links. If you sign up through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what an employer pays you.
Weekly roles email
Get new space industry jobs by email
The newest roles at every employer we track, with the pay each states, in one weekly email. Free, and unsubscribe anytime.
We email new roles, not spam. One click to unsubscribe.
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.
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.