Astronaut Salary Range

Being an astronaut is the ultimate aim of many people around the world. To get a chance to be aboard a spacecraft and be exploring space is one that not many individuals can easily pass up. Since the time we are small, many of us have an unwavering desire to explore space and become astronauts. The sea of knowledge that lies in astronomy has always inspired a great amount of curiosity and intrigue in our minds.

As far as childish fancy is concerned, we all have a chance to make it as astronauts. But to choose it as a real profession is a privilege that not many people get blessed with. Becoming an astronaut leads us to two questions about the profession, the educational qualifications required and the astronaut salary range. The educational qualifications are crucial for becoming an astronaut as it is a highly advanced and technological profession. If you are concerned about the astronaut salary range, there is no need to worry as the average salary of an astronaut is quite high.

Duties of an Astronaut
Before we delve into further details of the astronaut salary range, you must know the job description of an astronaut. Any person who has been trained to operate or work on a spacecraft is an astronaut. Most commonly, astronauts are hired by the Government to carry out their space research programs, but off late many private firms are also venturing into the space exploration realm. Astronauts are looked up to the world over, and there is adequate reasoning behind this. They must go through years of grueling practice and astronaut training routines, must be at the peak of physical fitness, must have excellent endurance and must possess excellent levels of intelligence. The astronaut salary range is so high because it is a highly specialized and elite profession, and it requires years of training.

The following are the generally seen and performed duties of an astronaut. The actual job could require a lot more minor tasks to be performed as well, but generically speaking these are the activities an astronaut carries out.

• Piloting the spaceship
• Carrying out any repairs on the equipment
• Observe any activities in outer space related to the stars and planets.
• Conduct experiments aboard the spacecraft
• Command the other astronauts and members of the crew
• Make detailed reports of any strange phenomena seen or observed in the Solar System
• Gather information and data.

As you can see, the overall duties of an astronaut are very interesting and exciting. To be handed the task of exploring space and reporting about the happenings there, is almost a dream job for most people.

Educational Qualifications for an Astronaut
Every person aboard the spacecraft is given certain fixed duties to perform. Based on the jobs to be performed, there are four basic types of astronauts - the commander, the pilot, the mission specialist and the pay load specialist. Here are the basic requirements for an astronaut pilot, mission specialist and pay load specialist.

• A bachelor's degree from a reputable and accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. An advanced degree is optional, but desirable.
• In case of applying for the position of a pilot, the candidate must have at least 1000 hours pilot-in-command time in a jet aircraft. Flight test experience is highly recommended as well.
• In the case of a mission specialist, the bachelor's degree must be followed by at least three years of related professional experience. An advanced degree can compensate for the lack of professional experience though.
• All astronauts need to pass a NASA space physical which contains the following standards. Their distance visual acuity should be 20/200 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 for each eye.
• Their blood pressure should be 140/90 when measured in a sitting position.

Astronaut Salary Range
Coming back to the original issue of astronaut salary range, it is plain to see why they make so much. The educational requirements are very complex, and the duties of an astronaut are also highly dangerous. As a result, they need to be compensated for this risk. Being highly specialized and elitist in a certain field mandatorily requires a high level of payment.

The salaries for civilian astronauts are derived from the Federal Government's General Schedule pay scale for the grades GS-11 through to GS-14. An individual's professional experience and academic achievements decide which scale comes into play. A GS-11 pay scale starts at $59,500 annually, and the GS-14 goes up till $130,000 annually. Strictly speaking, this is the astronaut salary range that can be expected in case of civilian astronaut programs. Military astronauts are detailed to the Johnson Space Center, Houston and as far as their pay, benefits and leave are concerned, they are considered to be in an active duty status. Hence, the average salary of an astronaut serving the military is decided by them alone.

Being an astronaut also means delivering a lot of speeches and conducting a lot of seminars throughout the country. It does not only mean 'sailing in space'. Given the right amount of exposure and experience, pretty soon you may also get the chance to go exploring in space.