Is JPL a government agency?
JPL is federally funded by NASA and managed by Caltech. The California Institute of Technology operates JPL on behalf of NASA, and JPL staff are Caltech employees rather than federal civil servants.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.The California Institute of Technology operates JPL on behalf of NASA, and JPL staff are Caltech employees rather than federal civil servants.
Does JPL pay well?
How much does a Nasa Jpl make in Pasadena, California? As of Oct 28, 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. The top 5 highest paying jobs at NASA with reported salaries are: software engineering manager – $181k per year.The average salary for employees at Nasa India is approximately ₹8. How much do freshers earn at Nasa? Freshers at Nasa can expect to earn around ₹5.
What does the JPL stand for?
Jet Propulsion Laboratory. JPL holds a unique place in the universe. We are a leader in robotic space exploration, sending rovers to Mars, probes into the farthest reaches of the solar system, and satellites to advance understanding of our home planet. 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.Director of JPL Dave Gallagher was selected by Caltech to become the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s 11th director, effective June 2, 2025. He was formerly Associate Director for Strategic Integration.
Is JPL a good place to work?
The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Aerospace & Defense industry (3. The average NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory salary ranges from approximately $65,443 per year for Senior Staff Assistant to $264,093 per year for Section Manager. Average NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory hourly pay ranges from approximately $21. Business Intern to $33. Student Intern.The average NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory salary in United States can vary greatly by role. Annual salaries typically range from $52,626 (or $25) for a Research Intern to $212,717 (or $102) for a Principal Engineer.Average NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Student Intern daily pay in the United States is approximately $343, which is 183% above the national average.
How many employees are at JPL?
There are about 5,500 JPL employees, including on-site contractors, at the sprawling, 168-acre facility in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains straddling Pasadena and La Cañada Flintridge. In November, the agency laid off about 325 employees, citing federal funding concerns. Staffing at JPL has gone from around 6,500 employees in early 2024 to around 4,500 following this week’s layoffs. That is a reduction of more than 30 percent that Kampmeier says leaves a gaping hole in America’s space mission.JPL Director Dave Gallagher stated that these layoffs are designed to establish an appropriate organizational size, enhance fiscal discipline, and optimize core technical capabilities for future success, explicitly disassociating them from the current government shutdown.
Who is JPL owned by?
Founded in 1936 by California Institute of Technology (Caltech) researchers, the laboratory is now owned and sponsored by NASA and administered and managed by Caltech. David Gallagher, who has been serving as the Lab’s associate director for Strategic Integration, has been selected by Caltech to lead the federally funded research and development center. Caltech manages JPL for NASA. A distinguished geochemist, Leshin was named by Caltech to lead the lab in early 2022.