At Space Talent, our mission is to act as the premier destination for careers at the intersection of space and technology. We exist to match credible employers with top talent and to provide the insights necessary to cultivate a robust workforce for the emerging space ecosystem.
Today, we are proud to announce the launch of the Space Talent Salary Database, a free, publicly available resource designed to bring much-needed transparency to compensation across the ecosystem.
For too long, compensation data for hardware engineering and technician roles has been a "black box." While software roles often have abundant public benchmarks, we found a lack of credible, granular resources for the roles that physically build the future—from propulsion engineers to avionics technicians.
We created this database to fill that gap. By making this information public, we aim to support hiring teams in structuring competitive offers and to help candidates navigate the recruiting process with confidence.
This isn't just a survey; it is a direct reflection of active demand in the market.
It is important to note that this dataset reflects job posting data (advertised salary ranges), not final negotiated salary data. Advertised ranges are a critical signal of employer intent and market baselines, but they often differ from the final numbers signed on an offer letter, which can be influenced by specific candidate leverage, equity packages, and benefits.
We recommend using this database as a powerful baseline—one source among many—as you navigate your search or hiring planning.
After analyzing the data, several trends emerged that challenge conventional wisdom about pay in the space ecosystem. Here are five takeaways from our 2025 analysis:
Firmware is the "King" of Hardware
While software roles generally command higher salaries than hardware, Firmware Engineering is the exception that bridges the gap. With a median salary of $176,450, Firmware roles pay exactly on par with AI and Frontend Software roles, making it the highest-paid hardware discipline.
The "LA Discount" is Real
Despite Los Angeles being a traditional heartland of the aerospace ecosystem, it offers significantly lower base salaries compared to other tech hubs. Our geographic adjustment data shows that LA salaries are ~79-80% of San Francisco equivalents, whereas NYC (~90-93%) and Seattle (~94%) remain much closer to the SF baseline.
Structural Engineering Commands a Premium
When people think of "rocket science," they often think of propulsion. However, the market currently values structure highly. Structural Engineering roles have a median salary of $159,950, significantly higher than Propulsion ($125,000) and Avionics ($127,522), reflecting the immense challenge of building reusable, high-performance vehicles.
Top Technicians Out-Earn Associate Engineers
The skilled trade gap is clearly visible in the data. Senior Hourly Technicians in the 90th percentile earn $73.35/hour (approx. $146k/year). This is higher than the median salary for Associate-level engineers in almost every discipline, proving that hands-on expertise is one of the most valuable assets in the ecosystem.
Selling the Rocket Pays More Than Building It
One of the most striking findings is the premium placed on revenue generation. Sales & Solutions Engineering roles command a median salary of $154,375, which is higher than the median for core technical roles like Propulsion ($125,000), Electrical ($135,000), and Manufacturing Engineering ($115,000). As companies in the ecosystem shift from R&D to commercialization, the value of those who can secure contracts is skyrocketing.
We invite you to explore the full dataset to benchmark your own role or your next hire. Transparency is the tide that lifts all boats, and we are excited to contribute this resource to the community.Space Talent Salary Database
