U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / National Aeronautics and Space Administration / Aircraft Operation

Job-title file

Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Federal Government

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

15 employees hold this title in National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Median total compensation for the role is $195,200, above the department median of $153,821.

Employees: 15
Total payroll: $2.8M
Role median: $195,200
Agency median: $153,821
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$160,559$197,511+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 15 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Aircraft Operation is held in 8 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the median of $195,200 ranks #2 of 8.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Transportation

$197,450 · 121

Department of Justice

$167,001 · 20

Department of Energy

$153,547 · 20

Department of State

$145,026 · 5

Department of Interior

$136,561 · 30

Department of Homeland Security

$117,081 · 1

Department of Agriculture

$109,985 · 145

Median total compensation for the Aircraft Operation role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Same department

Other job titles in National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Accounting 315
Administration and Office Support Student Trainee 15
Administrative Officer 54
Aerospace Engineering 5,032
Astronomy and Space Science 364
Auditing 29
Budget Analysis 376
Chemical Engineering 33
Computer Engineering 667
Computer Science 172
Contracting 834
Education Program 14
Electrical Engineering 354
Electronics Engineering 787
Electronics Technical 78
Emergency Management Specialist 19
Engineering and Architecture Student Trainee 575
Engineering Technical 389
Environmental Engineering 34
Environmental Protection Specialist 50
Equal Employment Opportunity 46
Equipment Facilities, and Services 42
Equipment Services 73
Facility Operations Services 59
Financial Administration and Program 335
Financial Management 33
Financial Management Student Trainee 24
General Attorney 141
General Business and Industry 66
General Engineering 3,968
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences 50
General Physical Science 541
Human Resources Management 372
Industrial Hygiene 22
Industrial Property Management 19
Information Technology Management 911
Information Technology Student Trainee 19
Logistics Management 101
Management and Program Analysis 1,096
Materials Engineering 315
Mechanical Engineering 135
Medical Officer 40
Meteorology 19
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 1,231
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 62
Oceanography 13
Operations Research 42
Paralegal Specialist 25
Patent Attorney 20
Physics 106
Program Management 90
Psychology 17
Public Affairs 219
Quality Assurance 117
Realty 24
Safety and Occupational Health Management 67
Secretary 35
Security Administration 115
Support Services Administration 21

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Justin Jones

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$197,632

Sub-department: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Base pay: $194,632
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $197,632
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Houston
Work state: Texas
Middle name: Paul

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $194,632
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN72
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,023
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Duty Station State: TX
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Justin Jones is a Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Houston, Texas. 2026 total compensation came to $197,632. They are classified at grade 15.

Hernan Posada

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$197,200

Sub-department: Ames Research Center
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $197,200
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Edwards Afb
Work state: California
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN21
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,684
Duty Station Code: 061077029
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Hernan Posada works as a Aircraft Operation for National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Edwards Afb, California. Hernan earned $197,200 in 2026. Their pay grade is 14.

William Wade

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$197,200

Sub-department: Ames Research Center
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $197,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Moffett Field
Work state: California
Middle name: Oliver

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN21
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,023
Duty Station Code: 062205085
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

William Wade holds the role of Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Moffett Field, California. In 2026, their total compensation was $197,200. Their pay grade is 15.

Brian Bernth

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2025 total comp

$197,200

Sub-department: Goddard Space Flight Center
Base pay: $195,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $197,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Wallops Island
Work state: Virginia
Middle name: Douglas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN51
Basic Pay (before locality): $162,672
Duty Station Code: 512564001
Duty Station State: VA
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Brian Bernth is a Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Wallops Island, Virginia. 2025 total compensation came to $197,200. They are classified at grade 15.

Kirt Stallings

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$197,200

Sub-department: Neil a Armstrong Flight Research Center
Base pay: $197,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $197,200
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Edwards Afb
Work state: California
Middle name: Lee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $197,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN24
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,520
Duty Station Code: 061077029
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Kirt Stallings holds the role of Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Edwards Afb, California. In 2026, their total compensation was $197,200. Their pay grade is 14.

David Zahn

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$196,986

Sub-department: Ames Research Center
Base pay: $195,986
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $196,986
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Oklahoma City
Work state: Oklahoma
Middle name: Isaac

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,986
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN21
Basic Pay (before locality): $195,986
Duty Station Code: 403550109
Duty Station State: OK
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

At National Aeronautics and Space Administration, David Zahn serves as a Aircraft Operation based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Their 2026 pay totaled $196,986. They are classified at grade 00.

Trent Kingery

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2025 total comp

$195,200

Sub-department: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Base pay: $195,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,200
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Houston
Work state: Texas
Middle name: Carlisle

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN72
Basic Pay (before locality): $162,672
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Duty Station State: TX
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

At National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Trent Kingery serves as a Aircraft Operation based in Houston, Texas. Their 2025 pay totaled $195,200. They are classified at grade 15.

Thomas Parent

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2025 total comp

$195,200

Sub-department: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Base pay: $195,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,200
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Houston
Work state: Texas
Middle name: Edward

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $195,200
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN72
Basic Pay (before locality): $138,296
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Duty Station State: TX
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Thomas Parent is a Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Houston, Texas. 2025 total compensation came to $195,200. They are classified at grade 14.

Geoffrey Palmer

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$193,407

Sub-department: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Base pay: $193,407
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,407
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Houston
Work state: Texas
Middle name: Sean

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $193,407
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN72
Basic Pay (before locality): $128,938
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Duty Station State: TX
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

At National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Geoffrey Palmer serves as a Aircraft Operation based in Houston, Texas. Their 2026 pay totaled $193,407. They are classified at grade 14.

Robert Koteskey

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2025 total comp

$193,406

Sub-department: Ames Research Center
Base pay: $193,406
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,406
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Moffett Field
Work state: California
Middle name: William

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $193,406
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN21
Basic Pay (before locality): $193,406
Duty Station Code: 062205085
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Robert Koteskey holds the role of Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Moffett Field, California. In 2025, their total compensation was $193,406. Their pay grade is 00.

Kurt Blankenship

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024 total comp

$190,322

Sub-department: John Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Base pay: $189,022
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $190,322
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Brook Park
Work state: Ohio
Middle name: S.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $189,022
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN22
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Duty Station Code: 391050035
Duty Station State: OH
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Kurt Blankenship is a Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Brook Park, Ohio. 2024 total compensation came to $190,322. They are classified at grade 14.

Christopher Swanson

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$174,366

Sub-department: Langley Research Center
Base pay: $174,066
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,366
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Hampton
Work state: Virginia
Middle name: Robert

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,066
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN23
Basic Pay (before locality): $128,938
Duty Station Code: 511180650
Duty Station State: VA
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

At National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Christopher Swanson serves as a Aircraft Operation based in Hampton, Virginia. Their 2026 pay totaled $174,366. They are classified at grade 14.

Andre Karpowich

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$174,066

Sub-department: John F. Kennedy Space Center
Base pay: $174,066
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,066
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Kennedy Space Center
Work state: Florida
Middle name: Anton

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $174,066
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN76
Basic Pay (before locality): $128,938
Duty Station Code: 121567009
Duty Station State: FL
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Andre Karpowich holds the role of Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Kennedy Space Center, Florida. In 2026, their total compensation was $174,066. Their pay grade is 14.

Shannon Gregory

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$173,779

Sub-department: John F. Kennedy Space Center
Base pay: $173,779
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $173,779
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Kennedy Space Center
Work state: Florida
Middle name: Demaund

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $173,779
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN76
Basic Pay (before locality): $139,023
Duty Station Code: 121567009
Duty Station State: FL
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Shannon Gregory holds the role of Aircraft Operation at National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Kennedy Space Center, Florida. In 2026, their total compensation was $173,779. Their pay grade is 15.

Stephen Lee

Aircraft Operation/National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2026 total comp

$160,559

Sub-department: John F. Kennedy Space Center
Base pay: $159,559
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $160,559
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Kennedy Space Center
Work state: Florida
Middle name: Chung

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $159,559
Agency Code (OPM): NN
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): NN76
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,192
Duty Station Code: 121567009
Duty Station State: FL
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 2181

Stephen Lee works as a Aircraft Operation for National Aeronautics and Space Administration based in Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Stephen earned $160,559 in 2026. Their pay grade is 14.