NASA Hiring Astronaut Candidates: Apply by Dec. 3, Pay $164,395
NASA is accepting applications for its next astronaut class until December 3. The job pays $164,395 a year, requires relocation to Houston, and selected candidates could one day live and work at a planned Moon base. Final picks come in late 2027.
NASA is hiring astronaut candidates, and U.S. citizens have until 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 3, 2026, to apply for the chance to live and work on the Moon. The job pays $164,395 a year and requires moving to Houston.
The agency announced the call on Saturday, November 7. It says the next class will train for work on the lunar surface and for the groundwork of crewed missions to Mars.
Who can apply
Applicants must be U.S. citizens. There is no official age limit, according to NPR's reporting on the announcement.
Most candidates need a master's degree in a STEM field such as engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics. NASA also accepts two years of doctoral coursework in one of those fields, or a medical degree such as an MD, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. A test pilot school program also counts if it is completed by July 2027.
One recent change: master's-level nursing degrees now meet the education requirement. NASA spokesperson Anna Schneider said nursing degrees were previously excluded.
Experience and fitness
Every applicant needs at least three years of related professional experience after finishing their degree. Pilots can qualify with 750 hours as pilot in command of a high-performance jet, or 1,500 flight hours in other fixed-wing aircraft, including 750 in command. Another route is 1,000 hours in rotary-wing aircraft.
Candidates must pass medical and psychiatric exams, a background check and drug screening. Vision must be correctable to 20/20 in each eye, and applicants must pass a swimming test.
NASA also says applicants must be willing to deploy to space for 12 months or longer, accepting "extreme isolation, austere living conditions and separation from loved ones."
Odds and timeline
Competition is steep. NASA last opened applications in 2024, drew more than 8,000 applications and selected 10 candidates in 2025. Those 10 are still completing nearly two years of training.
Since the 1960s, NASA has selected 370 people for astronaut training. The agency has 32 active astronauts. It expects to make its final selection in late 2027, after which the new class begins training.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement: "The people we select could walk on the Moon, live and work at the Moon Base, and help pioneer the systems and operations that will ultimately carry crews to Mars."
NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson put it more bluntly: "The window is open. The mission is waiting."
NASA is relying on private companies such as Blue Origin and SpaceX to build systems and spacecraft for its goal of returning humans to the Moon in 2028. At a November 7 press conference, Isaacman said he is "very confident" the Artemis III mission will launch in 2027.
