After spending nearly nine months in space, the Boeing Starliner astronauts have returned to Earth. Their mission, launched in June 2024, was initially meant to last just over a week. However, thruster malfunctions on the Calypso capsule forced them to stay in orbit until March 18, 2025, all while earning NASA astronaut pay without overtime or hazard pay.
Although their prolonged stay may seem like a nightmare, it’s part of their job. Despite the risks and extended time in space, their pay remains the same. NASA astronauts like Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore earn $152,258 annually, based on the 2024 pay scale, without overtime or hazard pay.
Mike Massimino, a two-time Space Shuttle veteran, stated, “There’s no hazard pay, no overtime, no comp time. There’s no financial incentive to stay in space longer.”
A NASA spokesperson confirmed that astronauts are paid a standard 40-hour workweek salary. They do not receive extra pay for holidays or weekends, despite working non-stop in space. They only receive a $5 daily allowance, totaling about $1,430 for 286 days in orbit.
Even without extra compensation, their transportation, lodging, and meals are covered as part of their official travel status as federal employees.
Astronaut Pay Isn’t About Money
Although the salary will increase in 2025, most of the Starliner astronauts’ time in space occurred in 2024. While this pay seems small compared to high-paying, risk-free jobs, the motivation for astronauts is not financial.
Williams and Wilmore are passionate about space exploration. Their work at the International Space Station, including hardware checks, cargo management, and scientific research, contributes to NASA’s knowledge and the station’s upkeep.
For astronauts, the chance to explore space and advance human knowledge makes the $150,000 salary worthwhile. The challenges, including the nine-month delay, are part of the adventure they’ve always dreamed of.
As Ken Bowersox, former NASA astronaut, said: “Every astronaut is taught not to focus on when they’re coming home but on how well their mission is going. If lucky, they might stay longer.”
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