Are JPL employees NASA employees?
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is operated by California Institute of Technology (Caltech) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). JPLers are Caltech employees and are considered Federal Contractors. PASADENA, CA – Today, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a NASA Center administered by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), announced the reduction of its workforce by 550 employees, or approximately 11% of its total staff. This is the third round of layoffs at JPL in the past two years. Rep.Founded by Caltech researchers, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is the leading center for exploring the solar system and more distant expanses that humans cannot yet reach.To thrive in a role at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), you typically need a strong background in engineering, computer science, physics, or a related STEM field, often supported by an advanced degree.Chu Statement on Layoffs at Jet Propulsion Laboratory. PASADENA, CA – Today, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a NASA Center administered by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), announced the reduction of its workforce by 550 employees, or approximately 11% of its total staff.
Does NASA JPL pay well?
As of dec 19, 2025, the average annual pay for a nasa jpl engineer in california is $137,771 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $66. This is the equivalent of $2,649/week or $11,480/month. Nasa salary faqs the highest-paying role, aerospace engineer, typically earns between ₹93. Lakhs to ₹1. Crore per year. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹1. Lakhs per year, and the top 1% earn over ₹4. Lakhs per year.According to NASA, civilian astronaut salaries are determined by the US Government’s pay scales – or more specifically grades GS-13 to GS-14. As of 2022, the GS-13 pay scale ranges from $81,216 to $105,579 per annum. This is up to $8,798.
What is the average salary at JPL?
The average NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory salary ranges from approximately $62,512 per year for Postdoctoral Fellow to $129,479 per year for System Engineer. Average NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory hourly pay ranges from approximately $19. Intern to $23. Software Engineer. The average Rocket Lab USA salary ranges from approximately $76,511 per year for Inventory Manager to $194,029 per year for Commercial Director. Average Rocket Lab USA hourly pay ranges from approximately $23. Cleaning Technician to $49. Senior Network Engineer.