What is an astronaut salary in Australia?
Find out what an astronaut salary looks like in Australia, how it compares to the national earnings index, and what tax and super would apply.
There is no published Australian astronaut salary; the closest reference is the NASA astronaut salary of about US$152,258 per year, which would index well above the national line if earned in Australia.
What is an astronaut salary?
When people search for "astronaut salary", they usually want to know how much a person gets paid to fly to space. In Australia, the answer is not straightforward because there is no single Australian employer that publishes a salary for astronauts. The closest public figure comes from NASA, which pays its civilian astronaut candidates about US$152,258 per year. That figure is from 2024 and is likely adjusted annually.
The Australian context
Australia does not have a standalone astronaut corps. The Australian Space Agency works with international partners, and Australians who become astronauts—like Dr. Andrew Thomas or Dr. Paul Scully-Power—have been selected by NASA or other agencies. Their pay is set by the employing organisation, not by Australian industrial relations bodies. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets minimum wages for Australian employees, but there is no modern award classification for an astronaut. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database covers thousands of roles, but not this one.
How does the NASA salary compare to the Australian earnings index?
The Salary Index uses full-time adult ordinary-time earnings as a baseline of 100. That baseline is A$108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings of $2,083.70 per week in May 2026). The NASA salary of US$152,258 converts to roughly A$230,000 at current exchange rates. That would put the index at about 212—more than double the national line. For context, the Mining industry index is 154.7, and Professional, scientific and technical services is 114.7. An astronaut salary would be well above both.
Gross pay, super, and tax
If an Australian resident earned A$230,000 from an Australian employer, the gross pay would be subject to the superannuation guarantee of 12% (from 1 July 2026), meaning the employer would contribute an additional $27,600 to super. The employee's income tax for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) would be:
- $0 on the first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on the next $90,000 ($27,000)
- 37% on the next $55,000 ($20,350)
- 45% on the remaining $40,000 ($18,000) Total tax: $69,370. Plus Medicare levy of 2% ($4,600). Take-home pay after tax and Medicare: about $156,030. That's still well above the national average.
What about Australian astronauts employed locally?
If an Australian space company were to hire astronauts, they would need to comply with the Fair Work Act. The minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255, index 48.2). But a qualified astronaut would almost certainly be covered by an enterprise agreement or individual contract with a much higher salary. Without published data, we can only speculate that it would be comparable to senior engineering or scientific roles in the space sector, which often pay above the Professional, scientific and technical index of 114.7.
The role of awards and enterprise agreements
Most Australian employees are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. Awards set minimum pay rates, allowances, and penalty rates. For example, the Air Pilots Award 2020 includes rates for pilots and second officers under training, but not astronauts. If an astronaut role were created, it would likely fall under a professional award or a bespoke agreement. The Fair Work Commission updates award rates annually; the 2026 data shows a 4.75% increase from 1 July 2026.
State and industry comparisons
If you're curious how an astronaut salary might compare across Australia, the states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9 (annualised $119,090), while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6 ($96,008). An astronaut salary would far exceed all state averages. In terms of industries, Mining leads at 154.7, followed by Professional services at 114.7. An astronaut salary would likely be in a league of its own.
Conclusion
While there is no official Australian "astronaut salary", the NASA figure provides a useful benchmark. If you're considering a career in space, remember that Australian pay structures are different, and any salary would be negotiated individually. For more on how pay compares across roles, see our pay guides and topics pages.
Questions people ask
Does Australia have its own astronaut salary scale?
No. Australia does not have a dedicated astronaut program with a published salary scale. The Australian Space Agency coordinates international partnerships, and Australian astronauts have typically been employed by agencies like NASA. Their pay is determined by the employing agency, not by Australian awards or the Fair Work system.
How does the NASA astronaut salary compare to Australian earnings?
NASA reports a civilian astronaut salary of about US$152,258 per year. If that amount were earned in Australia and converted to Australian dollars (roughly A$230,000 at current exchange rates), it would sit well above the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings index of 100 (A$108,352). It would be comparable to high-income professional roles, similar to the Professional, scientific and technical index of 114.7.
Would an Australian astronaut pay Australian tax and super?
It depends on their employment arrangement. If an Australian resident works for a foreign agency but remains an Australian tax resident, they would generally be liable for Australian income tax and the Medicare levy. Superannuation guarantee (12% from 1 July 2026) would only apply if the employer is an Australian entity. For NASA employees, super is not mandated under Australian law.