What degree do you need to be a NASA engineer?

After you have earned your degree and passed your licensure exam, you can apply for jobs at NASA. The agency typically looks for engineers with strong skills and experience in their chosen specialty, so having a relevant degree will definitely give you an edge over the competition.

NASA employs engineers in 20 different specialties. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics Handbook offers a look at the median wages for these different types of engineers.

Here are a few examples of types of engineers and median salaries that might be employed by NASA.

• Aerospace engineers. Engineers who design, construct, and test aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. According to BLS, the median income for Aerospace engineers in May of 2021 was $122,270

• Computer hardware engineers. Hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and equipment that are used to measure activity in outer space or on Earth. According to BLS, the median income for Computer Hardware engineers in May of 2021 was $128,170

• Electronics engineers. Electronics engineers focus on specific equipment, like instrument panels in aircraft and spacecraft. According to BLS, the median income for Electronics engineers in May of 2021 was $100,420

• Mechanical engineers. These engineers often partner with other workers to create products that support space missions. According to BLS, the median income for Mechanical engineers in May of 2021 was $95,300

NASA is a federal agency that employs about 17,000 workers. While The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics Handbook does not show employment and wage data by detailed occupation in space-related industries, the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program shows information by county.

For example, space research and technology in Harris County, Texas--home of Johnson Space Center--employed 2,920 in March 2016, with average weekly wages of about $2,540.