Artemis II Astronauts' Salaries Revealed: Less Than You Might Think

NASA astronauts earn government pay, not out-of-this-world wages, for their historic lunar missions.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:35pm

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A bold, geometric abstract painting in muted earth tones, depicting sweeping arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals that evoke the complex technology and natural forces involved in a lunar orbit mission, without any text or identifiable elements.An abstract artistic rendering of the intricate systems and forces at play as astronauts embark on a historic lunar orbit mission.Key Largo Today

The four astronauts set to launch on the Artemis II mission around the moon won't be earning astronomical salaries for their historic 10-day journey. As government employees, NASA astronauts are paid on a standard federal pay scale, with annual salaries ranging from around $90,000 to $122,000 on average. Despite the unique nature of their jobs, astronauts don't receive overtime or special bonuses, even for extended missions like the one planned for Artemis II.

Why it matters

While being an astronaut is one of the most coveted jobs in the world, the pay may come as a surprise to some. The relatively modest government salaries reflect NASA's status as a federal agency, where compensation is tied to standard civil service pay grades rather than the prestige of the role. This story provides important context around how astronauts are compensated and the realities of their employment, even for high-profile deep space missions.

The details

NASA astronauts are paid on a General Services pay scale, with their salaries determined by factors like job difficulty, years of federal service, and geographic location. The four Artemis II crew members - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen - are expected to earn anywhere from $89,693 to $122,336 per year, despite their elite status. Astronauts do not receive overtime pay or special bonuses, even if their missions are extended, as was the case for two NASA astronauts who spent an extra nine months on the International Space Station in 2025 due to technical issues.

  • The Artemis II mission is currently scheduled to launch on Wednesday, March 31, 2026.
  • The four-person crew is expected to spend 10 days orbiting the moon before returning to Earth.

The players

Reid Wiseman

NASA astronaut and commander of the Artemis II mission. Wiseman is a former U.S. Navy captain with 27 years of service and previous experience on the International Space Station.

Victor J. Glover

NASA astronaut and pilot of the Artemis II mission. Glover has previously served as the pilot on a SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the ISS.

Christina Koch

NASA astronaut and mission specialist on the Artemis II mission. Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, with 328 days on the ISS.

Jeremy Hansen

Canadian Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist on the Artemis II mission. This will be Hansen's first spaceflight, though he has previously participated in a NASA underwater mission.

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What’s next

The Artemis II mission is a crucial step towards NASA's broader goal of establishing a permanent base on the lunar surface. If the mission is successful, it will pave the way for future crewed flights to the moon as part of the Artemis program.

The takeaway

While being an astronaut is one of the most prestigious jobs in the world, the reality is that NASA astronauts are paid like other federal government employees, with salaries that may be lower than some might expect given the unique nature of their work. This story provides important context around the compensation structure for these elite space explorers.