Interactive Tables and Charts
Data Workforce
Space Force Guardians, FY2022-FY2024
The U.S. Space Force (USSF), which falls under the Department of the Air Force, employed 14,890 Guardians at the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, an increase at the end of FY 2023. USSF employment is split approximately in thirds between enlisted, officer, and civilian Guardians.
U.S. space private industry employment, 2014-2024
Growth in private sector space employment has largely been driven by companies involved in the manufacturing of space vehicles, including space vehicle propulsion units, and space vehicle parts and equipment. All three of these areas experienced growth from 2023 to 2024.
NASA civil servant workforce, 2014-2024
In 2024, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a report titled, “NASA at a Crossroads,” that highlighted the importance of maintaining a talented workforce to NASA’s long-term success.
Manufacturing trades enrollment at two-year schools in thousands
Technical help may be on the way. Enrollments across U.S. two-year and trade schools for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields in spring 2024 continued recovery from a low that accompanied the global coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
Manufacturing job openings in thousands, 2013-2025
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated 483,000 manufacturing job openings in February, down from a peak demand of nearly 850,000 in 2021, but still well ahead of demand a decade ago.
U.S. space private industry employment and U.S. total employment relative to 2014
Every state, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, is home to at least some private sector space workers. The 10 states with the largest space employment in 2024 include well-known space states.
Annual aerospace engineering graduates, 2014-2024
The booming space industry is creating more jobs and attracting more students to fill them. For the first time ever, Georgia Tech’s 2023 freshman class had more aerospace students than electrical or computer engineering students.
Norway space workforce, 2009-2023
The Norwegian space industry is prioritizing initiatives to strengthen the domestic space workforce pipeline. Andøya Space’s subsidiary, Andøya Space Education, was established in 2000 to provide opportunities for students.
Space Force Guardians, 2020-2025
Space Force justified the bonuses as a tool to keep Guardians who could bolt for higher civilian salaries. The bonuses come with commitments of up to eight years in uniform, locking in Guardians for long stretches of service.
Military enlisted recruiting by percentage of goal attained, FY2021-2024
While some of its sister services struggle to meet recruiting demands to deter today’s enemies, the Space Force is peering far into the future.