NASA’s Economic Impact Report 2022: Catalysing Growth Across the U.S. [Nov/2024]

NASA’s influence on the U.S. economy extends well beyond its space missions, with the agency’s operations generating substantial economic benefits nationwide. According to the 2022 NASA Economic Impact Report , the agency’s spending and activities in Fiscal Year 2021 created widespread effects that boosted employment, supported economic output, and contributed significantly to federal, state, and local tax revenues.

Through its research, technology development, and contracting activities, NASA sustains over 339,000 jobs across the country, providing a ripple effect that reaches many sectors and regions. In FY 2021, NASA’s direct employment of 17,736 full-time equivalent workers contributed to more than $3.2 billion in wages and benefits. However, the broader economic footprint is much larger, as each NASA job supports nearly 18 additional positions throughout the U.S. economy. This dynamic is driven by NASA’s contracts for goods and services, which span a diverse range of manufacturing and service sectors. The agency’s operations generate $71.2 billion in annual economic output, alongside $25.7 billion in labour income. With a wage level averaging $75,855 per employee—18% higher than the U.S. average—NASA’s compensation structure also significantly boosts income levels in the communities where it operates. Moreover, these activities generate $7.7 billion in tax revenue across all levels of government, underscoring NASA’s role as a major contributor to public finances.

A closer look at NASA’s national economic impact reveals the sectors and states most affected by its activities. Scientific R&D services emerge as the sector most impacted by NASA, accounting for 20% of the total employment effects. Geographically, NASA’s largest employment impacts are concentrated in ten states, including California, Texas, Alabama, and Florida, which together account for 90% of the total jobs sustained by the agency’s activities.

One of the primary drivers of NASA’s economic impact is the Moon to Mars (M2M) campaign, which represents 28% of the agency’s overall impacts. The M2M initiative, focused on advancing lunar and Martian exploration, supports over 93,000 jobs across the U.S. and generates an estimated $20.1 billion in economic output annually. For each civil service job directly related to M2M, nearly 37 additional jobs are created, underscoring the far-reaching effects of this high-profile program.

NASA’s economic impact is also evident in its investments in climate change research and technology. Approximately 11% of the agency’s overall economic influence is linked to its climate-related activities, which support 37,000 jobs and generate $7.4 billion in economic output annually. This research not only contributes to addressing global environmental challenges but also creates significant local and national economic activity. For every FTE job at NASA centres related to climate change, 19 additional jobs are supported throughout the U.S., further amplifying the agency’s broader economic impact.

Together, NASA’s activities in space exploration, climate research, and technological development form a powerful engine of economic growth. By sustaining jobs and contributing to economic output and tax revenues, NASA plays an integral role in supporting the U.S. economy.