Does NASA Goddard Space Flight Center pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.6 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. This rating has decreased by 1% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center?

57% of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 4.5 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.4 for culture and values and 3.5 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center?

Intern (38) , Summer Intern (12) , Internship (9) , Aerospace Engineer (8) , Mechanical Engineer (8) , Engineer (7) , Software Engineer (7) , Systems Engineer (7) , Engineering Intern (6) , Project Manager (5) , Research Intern (5) , Mechanical Engineering Intern (4) , Research Scientist (4) , Software Engineer(Internship) (4) , Computer Engineer (3)

What are the pros of working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center according to real employee reviews?

"Great people and very knowledgeable ready to help you with whatever you are working on." ((in 40 reviews)); "You meet a lot of new people and the work environment is great" ((in 17 reviews)); "Good work/life balance is good" ((in 15 reviews)); "Everyone is really nice and works hard." ((in 12 reviews)); "Many opportunities for training and learning" ((in 10 reviews))

What are the cons of working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center according to real employee reviews?

"2) Pay is low (but in my opinion the opportunity is worth it)" ((in 17 reviews)); "salary not as high as what you can get with a CS degree at other companies" ((in 6 reviews)); "Management will also say one thing one day and then the complete opposite the next and lie about ever saying the former." ((in 4 reviews))

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Reviews

4.1

57% would recommend to a friend

(174 total reviews)

Christopher Scolese

71% approve of CEO

17% positive business outlook

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has an employee rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on 174 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Aerospace and defence industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

174 reviews

5.0

22 Feb 2026

Excellent Growth Potential

Engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Due to the recent downsizing and subsequent growth there are many opportunities for advancement.

Cons

Government jobs are volatile right now.

3.0

29 Dec 2025

A very different place after Jan 20, 2025

Legal counsel

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

GSFC (which includes several duty stations) employs brilliant civil servant and contractor scientists, engineers, technicians, professional admins and clerical staff, most of whom are passionate about their work and the mission. The work hours can be long, but the pride in mission was some compensation and there were many solid, focused opportunities for leadership or professional training. There was a wonderful emphasis on DEIA. Until January 2025 and DOGE, many CS and contractors planned to spend much of their entire careers here.

Cons

The January 2025 Executive Orders and DOGE resulted in a decimated budget and a demoralized workforce, thousands of whom left because they had no other option. Trust in leadership eroded as senior execs knowingly ignored federal law and regulations to violate the union CBA's in order to satisfy DOGE or the Administration, All actions, programs or offices that were vaguely connected to DEIA were canceled. It should be noted that the two center director and Agency heads listed here on Glassdoor left NASA some years ago -- this website needs updating.

5.0

29 Nov 2025

NASA has the best and brightest

Software engineer(internship)

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

- Working with the most intelligent and passionate people anywhere - Getting to serve your country and work for a prestigious and storied organization - Working with bleeding-edge tech

Cons

NASA is a political football and being targeted by the current administration.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 174 Reviews