NASA is recruiting 'remarkable' people to live and work on the Moon — for less than your dentist makes back on Earth

Astronauts will also help pioneer the systems and operations that will one day take crews to Mars.

“The window is open. The mission is waiting. And the only thing missing from the greatest adventure humanity has ever embarked upon is you,” NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson said in the statement.

The starting salary for the position is $164,395 — significantly higher than the average salary of around $72,800. But the job comes with obvious personal sacrifices — like leaving Earth, for example. In comparison, NASA astronauts make less than the average dentist, who boasts a median annual wage of $176,110.

The requirements

The salary may not be a concern for those with dreams of space exploration. But dreams aren’t enough to secure a spot at the agency. Competition to join NASA is steep — and the agency is looking for the best of the best.

“Those missions will demand technical excellence, sound judgment, teamwork, and courage,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in the statement. “NASA’s astronaut corps has always called on remarkable Americans willing to take on extraordinary challenges in service to the nation.”

In order to apply for the job, you must be a U.S. citizen and have a master’s degree in a STEM field; however, the latter requirement can be satisfied through other educational work and degrees, including doctors and those in test pilot programs.

Physical challenges ahead

Candidates must also pass NASA’s long-duration physical and show “strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.”

This is the first time the agency has opened applications since 2024. At that time, the agency received more than 8,000 applications, but just 10 astronauts were selected. They are currently completing nearly two years of training.

According to NASA, there are 32 active astronauts in the space agency, and those selected to join will study things like spacewalking, lunar geology and how to operate high-performance aircraft. Since it began its missions in the 1960s, NASA has selected 370 people to train as astronauts.

The call for the next generation comes as NASA works towards its goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2028, with a test flight planned for 2027. If the feat is achieved, it will be the first time humans have set foot on the Moon since 1972.