WHAT THE CAREER INVOLVES

The career involves the conducting

of experiments and gathering of
information while in space flight,
including on the International Space
Station. Astronauts also conduct
experiments with the spacecraft
itself to develop new concepts in
design, engineering, and the
navigation of a vehicle outside the
Earth's atmosphere.

EDUCATION REQUIRED
The education required would be a
Bachelor's degree from a
recognized university in one of the
following fields: engineering; or
science (e.g., physics, chemistry,
biology, geology, mathematics,
computer science), or Doctorate in
medicine or dentistry.

PAY/NO. OF HOURS WORKED

Average salaries for astronauts are
around $100,000 per year or more,
not to mention extra compensation
for their housing and healthcare.
Astronauts who work for private
companies like SpaceX earn even
more. ISS expeditions have an
average output of 40 hours/week
of science when 6 crew are on
board.

BENEFITS
Get to fly in space
Get to work with amazing
people and technology
Get to become well known and
visible to the public
Get to travel all around the
world

DRAWBACKS
Have to endure uncomfortable
and isolating situations while in
space
Have to go through long and
grueling years of training
Have to endure long times
away from friends and family

SOURCES:
Astronauts.” Firsthand.co, firsthand.co/professions/astronauts.
“Requirements and Conditions of Employment for Astronauts.” Www.asc-Csa.gc.ca, 26 June 2008, www.asc-
csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/how-to-become-an-astronaut/requirements-and-conditions.asp.
Trajkovska, Kristina. “NASA Astronauts Salary: How Much Do Astronauts Get Paid?” SeedScientific, 30 May
2022, seedscientific.com/how-much-do-astronauts-get-
paid/#:~:text=Average%20salaries%20for%20astronauts%20are. Accessed 2 Oct. 2022.