Does JPL pay well?
How much does a nasa jpl make in pasadena, california? As of nov 27, 2025, the average annual pay for a nasa jpl in pasadena is $108,784 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $52. This is the equivalent of $2,092/week or $9,065/month. Average nasa jet propulsion laboratory summer intern hourly pay in the united states is approximately $23.Annual salaries typically range from $52,626 (or $25) for a Research Intern to $212,717 (or $102) for a Principal Engineer. This is based on 3400 salaries submitted on Glassdoor by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory employees in United States as of November 2025.As of Nov 26, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jpl in the United States is $22.
Is working at JPL prestigious?
It’s not everywhere that you can go to get a chance to work with spacecraft going to Mars. The prestige of working at JPL alone make some of the downsides all worth it. Also, great 403b plan and a 9/80 work schedule. The annual evaluation system makes promotions difficult to achieve. While you can expect these positions to be highly competitive, with NASA holding applicants to a high standard, you have an opportunity to contribute to work that can affect humanity. Take a look at seven of the many NASA jobs you can pursue.
Are JPL employees civil servants?
The California Institute of Technology operates JPL on behalf of NASA, and JPL staff are Caltech employees rather than federal civil servants. Most NASA employees have been furloughed since the 2026 fiscal year began Oct. JPL is federally funded by NASA and managed by Caltech.