NASA Opens Astronaut Hiring Round, Dangles $164,395 Salary

NASA has reopened its astronaut candidate application window, offering a starting salary of $164,395 a year for recruits who will train for Moon and future Mars missions, according to the New York Post, which cited the agency's job posting.

What does the job pay?

The advertised salary of $164,395 is more than double the national average salary of $64,220, the New York Post reported. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson framed the opening in recruitment messaging: "The window is open. The mission is waiting. And the only thing missing from the greatest adventure humanity has ever embarked upon is you."

How many astronauts does NASA actually select?

NASA last opened astronaut applications in 2024, selecting 10 candidates from a pool of more than 8,000 applicants, the New York Post reported. Since the astronaut program began in the mid-twentieth century, NASA has selected 370 individuals for astronaut training, per the same report. The incoming class will join a current active astronaut corps of 32 members.

By the numbers

• $164,395: Advertised annual salary for the new astronaut candidate class, New York Post, Nov. 9, 2026.
• $64,220: National average salary cited for comparison in the same report.
• 10 of 8,000+: Candidates selected from applicants in NASA's 2024 astronaut class, per the New York Post.
• 370: Total individuals selected for astronaut training since the space program's start, per the New York Post.
• 32: Size of the current active astronaut corps, per the New York Post.

What degree do applicants need?

Applicants must be U.S. citizens holding a master's degree in a STEM field — engineering, biological science, physical science, or computer science — from an accredited institution, according to the New York Post. The agency will also accept candidates who have completed at least two years of work toward a doctoral program in place of a completed master's degree.

When does the application window close?

Applications remain open until 11:59 p.m. ET on December 3, the New York Post reported. NASA's recruitment video features astronauts Jessica Meir, Andre Douglas, Deniz Burnham, Randy Bresnik, Kayla Barron, Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams under the tagline "The Universe Is Calling."

What will the job actually involve?

Selected candidates will train in lunar geology, spacewalk procedures and piloting high-performance jets, according to the New York Post. NASA says the hires will "join NASA as America returns to the Moon, builds the Moon Base, and lays the groundwork for the first crewed missions to Mars."

What to watch

• Whether application volume in 2026 approaches or exceeds the roughly 8,000 submissions NASA logged for its 2024 class.
• How many finalists NASA advances to interviews before announcing a new astronaut class.
• Whether the Moon Base and Mars-mission timelines referenced in the job posting shift as NASA's broader program schedule evolves.

The New York Post's full report, including NASA's recruitment video and additional program details, is available here.