Want To Walk On The Moon? NASA Is Hiring Astronauts And It Pays $164K
NASA is kicking off recruitment for its 25th astronaut class, setting the stage for missions that will send humans back to the lunar surface and lay the groundwork for eventual crewed voyages to Mars. But you'll need to move fast as the application portal closes on December 3.
Sure, almost any Tom, Dick, and Harry can apply, but the bar is predictably high, requiring U.S. citizenship alongside a minimum of a Master's degree in a STEM field, such as engineering, biological science, physical science, or computer science (with nursing as the latest addition), plus a minimum of at least three years of (exemplary, we figure) professional experience. Alternatively, applicants can qualify with a medical degree or completion of a nationally recognized test pilot school program. Like any space program thus far, the filtering process will be intense, designed to unearth only individuals with the right stuff.
Moreover, this draft is specifically to support the Artemis campaign, which means training for grueling lunar geology field tests, mastering spacewalking maneuvers, and operating next-generation deep space hardware. They are expected to form the backbone of humanity's first sustained operations right on the lunar south pole.
Similarly, Chief Astronaut Scott Tingle emphasized that getting tapped for the corps is about stepping directly into history, calling it “a chance to join a legacy of explorers who have pushed the boundaries of discovery.”
For anyone who clears the initial screening hurdles, the waiting game begins; NASA expects to finalize its selections in late 2027, with the chosen candidates reporting for duty and kicking off training in early 2028. The starting salary will be $164.395. As NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson puts it, "The window is open. The mission is waiting. And the only thing missing from the greatest adventure humanity has ever embarked upon is you."
