- Two Boeing The astronauts of the Starliner have just touched on earth after An unexpected nine -month stay at the international space station. Most people would not risk a life of eternal darkness in space for a million dollars – but astronauts have done it much less: just over $ 150,000 per year without additional time or more remuneration.
Internet was filled with used anxiety against Boeing Starliner astronauts blocked in space for nine months. They initially launched their test flight in June 2024, providing that the trip would not take a week. But after many of Boeing’s Boeing Calypso Boeing propellants failed during mooring, the two astronauts were stuck in orbit until yesterday, March 18, 2025.
It is an existential nightmare for the most part – and no amount of money would convince some people to take the risk of work. But NASA astronauts like the Boeing Starliner’s Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore brave the profession for little: they make an annual salary of $ 152,258, according to NASA 2024 remuneration rate.
In addition, they do not get overtime or any pay bump for the danger of the situation.
“”[There’s] No remuneration at danger, there are no overtime, there is no time of composition, said Mike Massimino, a veteran of two space shuttle missions, said Marketwatch. “There is no financial incentive to stay in space longer.”
A spokesperson for NASA confirmed with Fortune Whether they are paid a salary of 40 hours per week, without additional salary for vacation or weekends. Despite the fact that they are literally at work after work.
They added that astronauts receive accessory amounts for each day in space, but because they are in temporary long -term service, it costs only $ 5 per day. This represents about $ 1,430 for the entire 286 -day stay.
“When NASA astronauts are aboard the international space station, they receive regular wages from the 40 -hour work week,” said NASA Fortune in a declaration. “During his stay in space, NASA astronauts are under official travel orders as federal employees, therefore their transport, their accommodation and their meals are provided.”
The salary would be adjusted to reflect the increase in wages in 2025, but the astronauts of Boeing Starliner spent most of their nine months in orbit in 2024. Compared with other well -remunerated jobs with little danger little or zero, this salary can be disproportionate at risk.
But Williams and Wilmore knew that their nine -month -old hiccups had come with the territory, and in fact refuted the idea that they were left out. This is part of their work in which they have settled comfortably.
“This is rhetoric. This is the story of the first day: blocked, abandoned, stuck – and I get it. We both get it,” Wilmore said in a interview with Cnn last month. “But it is, once again, not what our human space flight program is. We do not feel abandoned, we do not feel stuck, we do not feel blocked.”
It is a dangerous work, but astronauts have their own motivation
When most people think of six -digit jobs, they think of comfortable white collars concerts in offices at controlled temperature. It could be obvious to go to law, to consult or banking – because there is no bodily risk on the table for these careers.
In comparison, New York bankers make a Average of $ 111,000 per year, without the risk of being exposed to an indefinite stay in the dark, silent and inhabited space. Consultants in the same region could miss $ 137,000, providing advice to customers in the comfort of their offices or sofas. And even the average sales professional of the city can do More than $ 200,000 without risk of prejudice to generate prospects and to sell products.
But astronauts are probably not motivated by money. It was a long-standing dream career for many-despite new professions like YouTubers and video game creators taking off, more than 10% of the children in the United Kingdom and the United States always dream of becoming astronauts. This role was in the best five career aspirations for American children, according to a 2019 study Since Lego.
Astronauts like Williams and Wilmore are veterans in their profession – and during the nine months they spent at the space station, were devoted to maintenance and research. They have been busy inspecting Material, organize goods, help in scientific tests, perform technological demonstrations and check on the Starliner. Wilmore has helped configure a new airlock, and Williams tested athletics in zero gravity of low orbit. Their work at the international space station improves the NASA knowledge base and helps maintain an essential destination for astronauts.
Their passion for space exploration means that $ 150,000 is worth it. It is a unique opportunity to go to space and be the universe traveler that many people have fantasized to become. Although Boeing Starliner’s fiasco may seem a nightmare for some, for astronauts, it simply means longer on the work they love.
Like Ken Bowersox, head of the mission of space operations and former NASA astronaut, said it last week: “Each astronaut that embarks on space, we teach them, do not think about your return home. Think of the way your mission takes place and if you are lucky, you could stay longer.”
This story was initially presented on Fortune.com
