Head-to-head
SpaceX vs Rocket Lab
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.
SpaceX
Rocket LabSpaceX vs Rocket Lab: the short answer
, SpaceIndustry.jobs lists 2,269 open SpaceX roles (typical pay $109k to $240k a year, median $135k) and 486 open Rocket Lab roles (typical pay $58.2k to $153k a year, median $100k).
SpaceX pays more on typical work ($109k–$240k/yr typical (live median $135000) vs Rocket Lab's $58.2k–$153k/yr typical (live median $100000)), a 97% 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. Both are launch & propulsions.
Both hire for Propulsion, Technicians, Launch & Ops, and Avionics; SpaceX also covers RF & Payloads and Programs & Business; Rocket Lab also covers Systems & Test and Mechanical.
Right now SpaceX has more live roles (2,269 vs 486).
Bottom line: SpaceX pays more, so pick SpaceX for the higher rate, or Rocket Lab if its specific work fits you better.
| SpaceX | Rocket Lab | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical pay | $109k–$240k/yr typical (live median $135000) | $58.2k–$153k/yr typical (live median $100000) |
| Type of company | Launch & propulsion · Launch and satellite broadband | Launch & propulsion · Launch and spacecraft |
| Kinds of work | Propulsion, Technicians, Launch & Ops, Avionics, RF & Payloads, and Programs & Business | Propulsion, Technicians, Avionics, Systems & Test, Launch & Ops, and Mechanical |
| Where it hires | Hawthorne, CA; Bastrop and Starbase, TX; Redmond, WA; plus launch and test sites in Florida, California and Texas | Long Beach, CA; Auckland, New Zealand; Middle River, MD; Tucson, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Wallops Island, VA |
| Open roles now | 2,269 live | 486 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, with higher pay.
2,269 open roles now →Best for people looking for Propulsion and Technicians roles.
486 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.
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SpaceX vs Rocket Lab: common questions
Which pays more, SpaceX or Rocket Lab?
SpaceX pays more on typical work ($109k–$240k/yr typical (live median $135000) vs Rocket Lab's $58.2k–$153k/yr typical (live median $100000)), a 97% chance on the rates the two boards state, and its ceiling is higher too.
Is SpaceX or Rocket Lab easier to get hired at?
What we know does not show which of the two hires more of the people who apply. Both are launch & propulsions.
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.