Compare SpaceX vs NASA

See how working at SpaceX vs. NASA compares on a variety of workplace factors. By comparing employers on employee ratings, salaries, reviews, pros/cons, job openings and more, you'll feel one step ahead of the rest. All salaries and reviews are posted by employees working at SpaceX vs. NASA. Learn more about each company and apply to jobs near you.
SpaceX company icon

SpaceX

Aerospace & Defense

SpaceX

Aerospace & Defense
NASA company icon

NASA

National Agencies

NASA

National Agencies

Salaries

Intern
127 Salaries
$42 / hr total
127 Salaries
Software Engineer
153 Salaries
$145,249 / yr total
153 Salaries
Intern - Hourly
90 Salaries
$42 / hr total
90 Salaries
Intern
320 Salaries
$32 / hr total
320 Salaries
Aerospace Engineer
247 Salaries
$125,370 / yr total
247 Salaries
Intern - Hourly
48 Salaries
$28 / hr total
48 Salaries

Employee Ratings

SpaceX scored higher in 1 area: Positive Business Outlook.
NASA scored higher in 9 areas: Overall Rating, Culture & Values, Diversity & Inclusion, Work-life balance, Senior Management, Compensation & Benefits, Career Opportunities, CEO Approval and Recommend to a friend.
Overall rating
3.9
Based on 2214 reviews
3.9
Based on 2214 reviews
3.6
Culture & Values
3.6
Culture & Values
3.8
Diversity & Inclusion
3.8
Diversity & Inclusion
2.7
Work-life balance
2.7
Work-life balance
3.4
Senior Management
3.4
Senior Management
3.8
Compensation & Benefits
3.8
Compensation & Benefits
4.0
Career Opportunities
4.0
Career Opportunities
Employee sentiment
SpaceX Ceo Elon Musk
84%CEO Approval
Elon Musk
SpaceX Ceo Elon Musk
84%CEO Approval
Elon Musk
70%
70%Recommend to a friend
70%
70%Recommend to a friend
81%
81%Positive Business Outlook
SpaceX employees rated their Positive Business Outlook 9% higher than NASA employees rated theirs.
81%
81%Positive Business Outlook
Overall rating
4.5
Based on 1375 reviews
4.5
Based on 1375 reviews
4.4
Culture & Values
Higher rating
4.4
Higher
Culture & Values
4.4
Diversity & Inclusion
Higher rating
4.4
Higher
Diversity & Inclusion
4.5
Work-life balance
Higher rating
4.5
Higher
Work-life balance
4.2
Senior Management
Higher rating
4.2
Higher
Senior Management
4.0
Compensation & Benefits
Higher rating
4.0
Higher
Compensation & Benefits
4.4
Career Opportunities
Higher rating
4.4
Higher
Career Opportunities
Employee sentiment
NASA Ceo Charles F. Bolden, Jr.
91%CEO Approval
Charles F. Bolden, Jr.
NASA Ceo Charles F. Bolden, Jr.
91%CEO Approval
Charles F. Bolden, Jr.
89%
89%Recommend to a friend
NASA employees rated their Recommend to a friend 19% higher than SpaceX employees rated theirs.
89%
89%Recommend to a friend
72%
72%Positive Business Outlook
72%
72%Positive Business Outlook

What Employees Say

"Fast paced" was the most mentioned Pro at SpaceX. "Work life balance" was the most mentioned Pro at NASA. "Work life balance" was the most mentioned Con at SpaceX. "Red tape" was the most mentioned Con at NASA.
Trending keywords
Trending keywords
Pros
"Fast paced"in 195 reviews
"Work environment"in 126 reviews
Cons
"Work life balance"in 327 reviews
"Long hours"in 487 reviews
Trending keywords
Pros
"Work life balance"in 96 reviews
"Learn a lot"in 35 reviews
Cons
"Red tape"in 46 reviews
"Civil servant"in 36 reviews
Featured Review
Featured Review
5.0
Nov 21, 2023

Current Employee - Sr Principal Software Engineer

Pros

Great company, but very intensive near launches

Cons

Work can exceed over 40hrs a week remotely

Featured Review
5.0
Nov 21, 2023

Current Employee - Astronaut

Pros

It is like family. You get to meet really smart people. No office politics.

Cons

Space exploration is exciting but has challenges. For instance you must be prepared to get stuck in the tin can for months.

Job Openings

SpaceX has 401 more recently posted open jobs than NASA.

Want to hear more about SpaceX and NASA employees?

Ask anonymous questions on Fishbowl and get real time answers from SpaceX and NASA employees and others in your industry

Want to hear more about SpaceX and NASA employees?

Ask anonymous questions on Fishbowl and get real time answers from SpaceX and NASA employees and others in your industry