Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski will earn a lot? Here’s how much he really gets

The profession of astronaut still raises emotions and is associated with great prestige, but real earnings do not always match expectations. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, who flew to the International Space Station as a representative of the European Space Agency (ESA), receives remuneration according to the official EU pay table.

Astronaut – clerk

Astronauts employed by ESA are treated as international officials. Their monthly gross earnings are in the range of 6,000. up to 10,000 euro, or about 24-40 thousand zloty. Beginners receive the lowest rate, which after the training is increased to about 7.7 thousand. euro, and after a mission can reach up to 9,000 euro. In total, this gives a range of 25–42.5 thousand. PLN per month.

Uznański-Wiśniewski, who is not the professional astronaut of ESA, went to the so-called reserve body after over 22,000 candidates. He was preparing for the AX-4 mission as the so-called “Project Astronaut”, or an astronaut assigned only to one specific mission.

All ESA astronauts can count on additional benefits. They are entitled to various benefits, such as children’s allowances, financial support for relocation, insurance or compensation related to foreign missions. These elements affect the final level of income and increase the financial attractiveness of the profession.

Earnings in the USA

For comparison, in the United States, astronauts are employed as federal officials and rewarded according to the so -called General Schedule. Most often they receive salaries in the range from 81 to 105 thousand. dollars a year (i.e. approx. PLN 296–384 thousand), and experienced specialists can earn up to 125 thousand. dollars a year (over PLN 450,000).

In turn, Russian astronauts, although they do the same work, earn much less. Their basic salaries range from 2.8 to 4.7 thousand. PLN per month, and only participation in the mission can increase income to PLN 29,000. PLN per month.

Although the Astronaut’s profession is sometimes seen as unique and well -paid, the data show that the earnings are high, but not as spectacular as one could suppose. Salaries depend on the country, experience, participation in missions and applicable payroll systems.