NASA Jobs: What They Are and How to Get One

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Explore the different jobs at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

[Featured Image] As part of their NASA job, an astronomer connects a telescope to a computer while on a cement platform in the middle of a grassy field.

Key takeaways

NASA offers various career options in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, media, accounting, business, and more.

  • NASA employs over 17,000 people in a diverse range of roles, from astrophysicists to technicians, making opportunities available in all kinds of fields [1]. 

  • For many roles at NASA, you will often need a master’s degree or a PhD. 

  • You can search for roles in STEM-related fields or search for one of the many roles at NASA that do not require a STEM degree. 

Learn about seven NASA jobs in the various STEM fields. Then, explore the People & Soft Skills: Essential for Professional Success Specialization from IBM to help you build core skills to land a role in a professional environment in as little as four weeks. 

Overview of NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a federal agency in charge of overseeing space exploration, technology and science connected to air and space, and space aeronautics, as well as America’s participation in the International Space Station. As of August 2025, NASA has an operational budget of $45.10 billion, amounting to 0.3 percent of the US federal budget [2]. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NASA has major locations across the United States, with a total of 20 centers and facilities where NASA employs 17,330 individuals in full-time positions [1]. 

NASA plans to continue developing space technologies to pursue more complex space exploration missions. With the success of NASA and the growth of space exploration as a whole depending on continued advancements, NASA works to support and promote STEM education efforts. 

How to get a job at NASA

Since NASA is a federal government agency, you must be a US citizen to qualify for positions. Education and experience requirements will vary depending on the job; for example, those applying to the Astronaut Candidate Program will need a master’s degree in a STEM field, such as engineering or physical science, and either three years of professional experience within that field or 850 hours piloting a jet aircraft.

7 NASA jobs

When you think of working for NASA, the first thing that likely comes to mind is being an astronaut, but NASA offers many exciting careers that won’t involve going on a trip to space. While you can expect these positions to be highly competitive, with NASA holding applicants to a high standard, you have an opportunity to contribute to work that can affect humanity. Take a look at seven of the many NASA jobs you can pursue.

1. Aerospace engineer

Median annual US salary (BLS): $134,830 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 6 percent [3]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field

As an aerospace engineer, you would contribute to the design, development, and manufacturing of aeronautical and astronautical systems and spacecraft. The applications of this work include spacecraft, propulsion systems, satellites, and defense systems. Aerospace engineers may focus on a given field, such as structural design, guidance control systems, robotics, or aerodynamics. 

2. Atmospheric scientist

Median annual US salary (BLS): $97,450 [4]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 1 percent [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in meteorology or a related field. If you want to work in research positions, you will typically need a master’s or a PhD.

Atmospheric scientists conduct research for the Atmospheric Science Branch at NASA focused on environmental and climatic issues. This includes monitoring conditions in the stratosphere and troposphere and learning more about chemical interactions in the stratosphere. In this position, you would use satellites, radars, computers, and balloons to perform observations. 

3. Astronomer

Median annual US salary (BLS): $132,170 [5] 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 4 percent [6] 

Requirements: A PhD in astronomy, physics, or a related field is typically required, with a bachelor’s or master’s degree being sufficient for some federal positions.

Astronomers seek to improve the overall understanding of the universe by studying space objects, including planets and stars, as well as galaxies and black holes. This field of work requires you to collect and analyze large amounts of data acquired through research and observations to develop and test various theories. 

4. Electrical engineer 

Median annual US salary (BLS): $111,910 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 7 percent [8]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or a similar engineering field

Electrical engineers focus on the optimization, design, and maintenance of electrical devices and systems, such as those in automobiles and aircraft. In this role, you could work on various electrical mechanisms, including radar, navigation systems, and devices for generating power. Electronics engineers are similar to electrical engineers, but they focus on maintaining electrical components and circuits.

Read more: How to Write an Electrical Engineer Resume: Examples and Guide

5. Aerospace technician

Median annual US salary (BLS): $79,830 [9]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 8 percent [9]

Requirements: Associate degree in engineering technology or completion of a certificate program

Success as an aerospace technician requires you to have knowledge of engineering and mechanical concepts. You will most likely meet with aerospace engineers to talk about the specifics and outcomes of testing processes. Additionally, you might construct and install components and systems that will be evaluated in test equipment. Aerospace technicians work to ensure spacecraft meet design specifications, determining the cause of problems while also testing prototypes. 

6. Mathematician

Median annual US salary (BLS): $121,680 [10]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 8 percent [11]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s or PhD in applied mathematics

Mathematicians use mathematical formulas to solve problems and predict how certain phenomena will behave or interact with one another. As a mathematician, you will create models and explore the relationship between different existing principles. At NASA, this work could include determining how different spacecraft will enter or exit the atmosphere.

7. Astrophysicist 

Median annual US salary (BLS): $166,290 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 4 percent [6]

Requirements: PhD in physics, astronomy, or a related field

Astrophysicists at NASA seek to discover how the universe works, from its origin and evolution to whether or not other planets are capable of supporting life. Your research as an astrophysicist would include complex topics such as dark matter, dark energy, black holes, galaxies, and exoplanets. 

Non-STEM job opportunities in NASA

NASA is a large organization with positions available for individuals without a STEM education or background. Other positions at NASA include technical writers, public relations specialists, and photographers. Accountants, human resources specialists, and project managers are all needed to help NASA operate, so even if you aren’t experienced in the world of engineering and physics, NASA likely has opportunities for you.

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Article sources

1. 

US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. “National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/national-aeronautics-and-space-administration-nasa-0.” Accessed November 9, 2025.

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