Head-to-head
United Launch Alliance 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.
United Launch Alliance vs SpaceX: the short answer
, SpaceJobs.Now lists 131 open jobs at United Launch Alliance (typical pay $94.6k to $224k a year, median $124k) and 2,591 open jobs at SpaceX (typical pay $110k to $245k a year, median $138k).
For the same job, median posted pay: ground software & IT: United Launch Alliance $143k/yr, SpaceX $163k/yr; programs & business: United Launch Alliance $138k/yr, SpaceX $145k/yr; systems, integration & test: United Launch Alliance $109k/yr, SpaceX $135k/yr. SpaceX posts more in 5 of the 6 kinds of job both have measured.
Both hire in Florida and California; United Launch Alliance also hires in 3 other states, SpaceX in 8 others.
United Launch Alliance hires most for mechanical, structures & thermal and SpaceX for manufacturing & technicians; both have mechanical, software & IT and programs & business jobs open.
Right now SpaceX has more open jobs (2,591 vs 131).
Bottom line: SpaceX both posts higher pay and has more jobs open, so start there; choose United Launch Alliance if it is closer to you or hires for your exact job.
| United Launch Alliance | SpaceX | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Software & IT pay | $124k–$264k/yr | $150k–$270k/yr |
| Programs & Business pay | $63.5k–$302k/yr | $113k–$243k/yr |
| Systems, Integration & Test pay | $104k–$187k/yr | $116k–$230k/yr |
| Avionics & Electrical pay | $83.8k–$161k/yr | $138k–$270k/yr |
| Typical posted pay, every kind of job | $94.6k–$224k/yr typical (live median $124k/yr) | $110k–$245k/yr typical (live median $138k/yr) |
| Open jobs now | 131 open | 2,591 open |
| Most open jobs in | Mechanical 28, Software & IT 16, Programs & Business 16 and Quality 14 | Technicians 507, Supply Chain 497, Software & IT 422 and Programs & Business 359 |
| Kind of employer | Launch & propulsion · Launch provider | Launch & propulsion · Launch and satellite broadband |
| Headquarters | Not listed | Not listed |
| Where it hires | Colorado, Alabama, Florida, California and Virginia | 10 states |
| Pay on listings | 60.3% 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 mechanical looking for launch & propulsion work in its states.
131 open jobs now →Best for people who want the higher posted pay, especially in avionics.
2,591 open jobs now →Job alerts
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United Launch Alliance vs SpaceX: common questions
Which pays more, United Launch Alliance or SpaceX?
For the same job, median posted pay: ground software & IT: United Launch Alliance $143k/yr, SpaceX $163k/yr; programs & business: United Launch Alliance $138k/yr, SpaceX $145k/yr; systems, integration & test: United Launch Alliance $109k/yr, SpaceX $135k/yr. SpaceX posts more in 5 of the 6 kinds of job both have measured.
Which has more open jobs, United Launch Alliance or SpaceX?
Where do United Launch Alliance and SpaceX hire?
United Launch Alliance hires in Colorado, Alabama, Florida, California and Virginia; SpaceX in 10 states. Both hire in Florida and California; United Launch Alliance also hires in 3 other states, SpaceX in 8 others.
What jobs are United Launch Alliance and SpaceX hiring for?
United Launch Alliance hires most for mechanical, structures & thermal and SpaceX for manufacturing & technicians; both have mechanical, software & IT and programs & business jobs open.
Can you apply to both United Launch Alliance and SpaceX?
Yes. They are separate launch & propulsion, each with its own careers site, so applying to one does not affect an application at the other.