Salary of an Astronaut in India

• Updated on  Aug 04, 2025, by Vasudha Sharma

The salary of an astronaut in India is between INR 12 lakhs to 20 lakhs in a year, which depends on ranks, experience, and tasks in the missions. The astronaut salary includes the basic pay, allowances, and government benefits. Even though the salary of an astronaut in India is quite low in comparison to the global industries, however, the rewards and experiences in life of being an astronaut are so significant. Indian astronauts serve as great role models, and they speak of the intrinsic value of the mission rather than the reward of leveraging their nation into the global space programs.

 

As space exploration and satellite technology increase in popularity all over the globe, BTech Space Technology offers advanced career opportunities, high salary packages, and an opportunity to play a part in the Indian space missions and space technology. The graduates are also hired by the best organizations such as ISRO, DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), aerospace industries, and national space agencies. The curriculum also encompasses practical labs, simulations, and internship opportunities to allow the students to connect with the real-world aerospace challenges.

 

Table of Contents
  1. Salary of an Astronaut in India as per Designation
  2. Salary of an Astronaut in India (Private Sector)
  3. Salary of an Astronaut in India (Government Sector)
  4. Salary of an Astronaut in India (Top Cities)
  5. Salary of an Astronaut in India FAQs

 

Salary of an Astronaut in India as per Designation

An astronaut salary in India is highly dependent on the designation, experience, and the nature of the mission. ISRO astronauts typically get an annual salary of INR 8 LPA to INR 12 LPA. The salary of an astronaut in India includes the combined amount of basic pay, allowances, and benefits; however, it usually does not cover the incentives for a particular mission.

Job Role

Experience

Salary Range

Scientist/Engineer – SD

0 - 5 years

INR 4 LPA to 7.2 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – SE

6 - 10 years

INR 5 LPA to 8.4 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – SF

1- 5 years

INR 5 LPA to 9.3 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – SG

0 - 6 years

INR 6 LPA to 10.5 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – H

0 - 5 years

INR 6 LPA to 12 LPA

Outstanding Scientist

0 - 5 years

INR 9 LPA to 14 LPA

Distinguished Scientist

0 - 5 years

INR 10 LPA to 16 LPA

Flight Engineer / Senior Astronaut

6 - 8 years

INR 9 LPA to 16 LPA

Command Module Pilot

6 - 8 years

Around INR 16 LPA

ISRO Astronaut (General Entry)

0 - 5 years

INR 12 LPA to 15 LPA

ISRO Astronaut (General Entry)

6 - 10 years

INR 15 LPA to 20 LPA

 

Salary of an Astronaut in India (Private Sector)

The BTech Space Technology graduates have various career opportunities in the private space and tech sector. The entry-level roles include the roles of Mission Specialist, Space Mission Analyst. For better salary prospects, the candidates can opt to enroll in the MTech Aerospace Engineering.

Job Role

Key Employers

Experience (years)

Salary Range (INR LPA)

Mission Specialist

Private space startups, SpaceX India (future)

0 - 5 years

INR 20 LPA to INR 30 LPA

Payload Specialist

Space tech firms, private aerospace companies

0 - 5 years

INR 15 LPA to INR 20 LPA

EVA (Spacewalk) Specialist

Space exploration tech companies

6 - 10 years

INR 25 LPA to INR 35 LPA

Flight Engineer / Senior Astronaut

Private aerospace projects, ISRO collaborators

6 - 15 years

INR 25 LPA to INR 40 LPA

Command Module Pilot

Emerging private space mission providers

6 - 15 years

INR 15 LPA to INR 25 LPA

Space Mission Analyst

Aerospace R&D firms, private research centers

0 - 5 years

INR 10 LPA to INR 18 LPA

Robotics Specialist

Space robotics firms, aerospace innovation labs

3 - 10 years

INR 15 LPA to INR 25 LPA

Astronaut Trainer / Instructor

Space training academies, private space ventures

5 - 12 years

INR 12 LPA to INR 22 LPA

Aerospace Systems Engineer

Private aerospace manufacturers

0 - 7 years

INR 10 LPA to INR 20 LPA

 

Salary of an Astronaut in India (Government Sector)

The Astronaut jobs with BTech Space Technology have a broad scope in the government sector, as they provide professionals with a stable income, exposure, research experience, etc. The complete details of the salary of an accountant in India in the government sector with experience and key employers are given in the table below.

Job Role

Key Employers

Experience

Salary Range

Scientist/Engineer – SD

ISRO

0 - 5 years

INR 4 LPA to INR 7 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – SE

ISRO

6 - 10 years

INR 5 LPA to INR 8 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – SF

ISRO

5+ years

INR 5 LPA to INR 9 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – SG

ISRO

5+ years

INR 6 LPA to INR 10 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – H

ISRO

0- 5 years

INR 6 LPA to INR 12 LPA

Outstanding Scientist

ISRO, HAL

0- 5 years

INR 9 LPA to INR 14 LPA

Distinguished Scientist

ISRO, HAL

0- 5 years

INR 10 LPA to INR 16 LPA

Flight Engineer / Senior Astronaut

ISRO, HAL

6 - 10 years

Up to INR 30 LPA

Command Module Pilot

ISRO, DRDO

6 - 10 years

Around INR 16 LPA

ISRO Astronaut (General Entry)

ISRO

0 - 5 years

INR 12 LPA to INR 15 LPA

ISRO Astronaut (General Entry)

ISRO

6 - 10 years

INR 15 LPA to INR 20 LPA

 

Salary of an Astronaut in India (Top Cities)

The salary of an astronaut in India and the salary of the scientists in the space field differ in various cities that include Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, etc, where the major ISRO and space research facilities are situated.

Job Role

City

Experience

Salary Range

Scientist/Engineer – SD

Bengaluru

0 - 5 years

INR 4 LPA to INR 8 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – SE

Bengaluru

6 - 10 years

INR 5 LPA to INR 8 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – SF

Bengaluru

5+ years

INR 5 LPA to INR 9 LPA

Scientist/Engineer – SG

Bengaluru

5+ years

INR 6 LPA to INR 10 LPA

Flight Engineer/Senior Astronaut

Bengaluru

5+ years

Up to INR 20 LPA

Command Module Pilot

Bengaluru

5+ years

Around INR 16 LPA

Scientist/Engineer

Thiruvananthapuram

0 - 5 years

INR 4 LPA to INR 7 LPA

Scientist/Engineer

Thiruvananthapuram

5+ years

INR 5 LPA to INR 8 LPA

Astronaut Candidate (Indian Air Force)

Bengaluru

5+ years

INR 15 LPA to INR 25 LPA

Astronaut (General Entry)

Bengaluru/Thiruvananthapuram

0 - 10 years

INR 12 LPA to INR 20 LPA

 

Salary of an Astronaut in India FAQs

What is the salary of an Astronaut in India?

Indian astronaut salary also varies depending on their rank, experience, and mission participation, which includes the basic salary and the government allowances, averagely between INR 8 lakh rupees to 15 lakh rupees annually.

What are the best colleges that offer BTech Space Technology in India?

Institutions that offer this course are reputable and include the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram, IIT Kanpur, as well as other Engineering colleges in the big schools.

What is NASA astronaut salary?

Approximate salaries of NASA astronauts in 2025 have an approximate pay scale of about USD 125,133 per annum to USD 162,672 per annum, with the General Schedule system used by the US government in pay grades GS-13 through GS-15. The salary structure of the NASA astronauts is that of a regular federal employee, whose benefits include housing allowance, health insurance, and travel expenses covered.

How to become an Astronaut?

Indian citizens pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering or physics, mathematics, biology, or a STEM course are the only individuals who can apply to become an astronaut in India. The astronauts are often chosen based on their technical abilities and physical condition. The applicants are subjected to very strict medical and psychological tests, physical fitness, and written and technical examinations.

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