Astronauts’ Salaries May Surprise You: “It’s Not as Much as People Think”

TDT | Manama

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Many people imagine that astronauts earn millions, given that their job is one of the toughest in the world—requiring years of training, advanced qualifications, and the ability to handle dangerous situations. But the reality is quite different.

Former NASA astronaut and engineer Nicole Stott revealed that her salary during her space career was “not that big,” despite the challenges and risks of the job. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she explained that being an astronaut is far from one of the highest-paying professions.

Stott flew on two space missions, spending over 100 days in orbit. In 2009, she joined mission STS-128 to the International Space Station, where she stayed for three months. She also made history as the tenth woman to walk in space and the first astronaut to use the station’s robotic arm to capture a free-flying cargo ship.

But despite such extraordinary achievements, the financial rewards remain modest.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were stranded on the International Space Station for nine months, were unlikely to receive more than a small bonus for the hardships they endured.

Former astronaut Cady Coleman also pointed out that astronauts only receive their base salary. They are not paid overtime and get only a small government-regulated allowance for “incidental expenses.”

According to NASA, the annual salary for astronauts is about $152,258 (around £112,000). The exact amount varies depending on education and years of experience—but it is still far from the glamorous million-dollar figure many might expect.