Being an Astronaut Isn’t About Money. Here’s How Much NASA Pays for Overtime in Space

The image of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally returning to Earth will likely be one of the defining snapshots of 2025. Their eventful journey in space, marked by multiple leaks and failures aboard Boeing’s Starliner, will be long remembered. If you’re wondering whether being an astronaut is worth it after such an ordeal, the answer lies in the “bonus” they’ll receive for their overtime in orbit.

But it’s not about the money.

An extended stay. Astronauts Williams and Wilmore returned to Earth after spending nine months in space—far longer than planned. Their mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner began in June 2024 and was supposed to last just over a week. However, a malfunction in the capsule’s engines prevented it from docking properly with the International Space Station (ISS), stranding the astronauts in orbit until NASA resolved the technical issues.

The delay sparked widespread anxiety on social media, with many speculating about the astronauts’ safety and well-being. However, Williams and Wilmore remained steadfast in their commitment to the mission. They rejected claims that they were “stranded” or “trapped.” As Wilmore clarified, such unforeseen events are part of the job, and they were prepared for them.

Economic sacrifice. Despite the extreme challenges they faced, NASA astronauts receive no additional compensation for the dangers of their missions or the long hours they spend in space. According to current NASA rates, Williams and Wilmore earn an annual salary of $152,258. However, this salary doesn’t include overtime pay, holiday pay, and hazard pay—a stark contrast to many high-paying professions on Earth.

Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino explained, “[There’s] no hazard pay, there’s no overtime, there’s no comp time.” This means that despite spending nine months in orbit instead of one week, astronauts receive no extra pay. The closest thing to “extra” compensation they get is a small daily stipend of $5 for being in space—a modest and almost symbolic amount, totaling just $1,430 for the 286 days they spent on the ISS.

What NASA says. NASA emphasizes that astronauts have all their expenses covered, including transportation, lodging, and food during their stay on the ISS. Still, compared to other high-paying jobs that don’t involve physical risk, astronaut pay may seem disproportionate, especially considering the dangers they face.

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It’s not about money. While other professions with similar salaries, such as bank tellers or notaries, allow employees to work in comfortable environments without mortal danger, space exploration involves isolation, uncertainty, and constant risk. Yet many astronauts choose this career. The key seems clear: They do it out of passion for space and exploration, not for financial gain.

For many, becoming an astronaut remains a childhood dream. A 2019 study by Lego found that more than 10% of children in the U.S. and the UK still aspire to be astronauts, despite the rise of new careers like digital content creation. For Williams and Wilmore, the chance to contribute to space exploration and scientific research surely outweighs any financial sacrifice.

They weren’t just waiting—they were on a mission. During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore didn’t just wait to return home. They actively contributed to the ISS’s maintenance and upgrades. Over nine months, their tasks included inspecting and repairing hardware, organizing cargo and supplies, supporting science experiments and technology demonstrations, configuring a new airlock system, and testing physical activity in microgravity.

In short, their time in orbit advanced NASA’s scientific knowledge and helped maintain the ISS as a critical hub for space exploration.

Endurance and dedication. For many, the idea of being stranded in space might seem like an unimaginable nightmare. But for astronauts like Williams and Wilmore, it’s just part of the job. According to Ken Bowersox, NASA’s chief of space operations, astronauts are trained to focus not on when they’ll return but on the success of the mission.

Perhaps, beyond the money they earn, this story serves as a reminder that in space exploration, motivation and resilience are as important as technology.

Image | NASA

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