Is NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory a good company to work for?

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory has an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5, based on over 1,851 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 1% over the last 12 months. 70% of employees would recommend working at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory to a friend and 17% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory have been left by employees working as Summer Intern , Software Engineer(Internship) and Intern .

Does NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory?

70% of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory 4.1 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.9 for culture and values and 3.5 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory?

Intern (136) , Systems Engineer (63) , Mechanical Engineer (38) , Software Engineer (37) , Internship (32) , Engineer (31) , Software Engineer(Internship) (25) , Summer Intern (22) , Postdoctoral Fellow (19) , Intern - Hourly (15) , Senior Software Engineer (15) , Member Of Technical Staff (13) , Research Intern (13) , Engineering Intern (12) , Software Engineer Intern (12)

What are the pros of working at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory according to real employee reviews?

"Full of open minded and great people willing to help" ((in 189 reviews)); "A good work/life balance with a 9/80 schedule where you work 9 hours each work day and get every other Friday off." ((in 87 reviews)); "Good benefits when properly employed (is what I heard)" ((in 51 reviews)); "The JPL campus is beautiful as well." ((in 45 reviews)); "In my entire time at JPL I've been surrounded by genuinely great coworkers and a culture that promotes growth and learning." ((in 40 reviews))

What are the cons of working at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory according to real employee reviews?

"Low pay and quite stressful at times" ((in 87 reviews)); "Low salary paid to entry level engineers compared to industry." ((in 40 reviews)); "No or limited parking for interns" ((in 36 reviews)); "Recent layoffs have been pretty toxic to morale" ((in 34 reviews)); "Too many managers." ((in 23 reviews))

What are employees saying about NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory layoffs and their outlook for job security at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2026.

What are the top reviewed NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory locations?

Pasadena , Los Angeles , La Canada Flintridge , La Canada , Houston , South Pasadena , New York , Bozeman , Pasadena , San Antonio , Glendale , Thousand Oaks , Riverside , Berkeley , Cambridge , Califon , East Brunswick , Huntsville , Tempe , Omaha , Texas City , Morgantown , Knoxville , Altadena , Culver City , Huntington Beach , Irvine , Orange , Pomona , San Gabriel

Skip to content Skip to footer

Notifications

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory reviews

3.9

70% would recommend to a friend

(1,128 total reviews)

Dr. Laurie Leshin

59% approve of CEO

17% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.1

Work/Life balance

4.0

Diversity & inclusion

3.9

Culture & values

3.5

Compensation and benefits

3.5

Career opportunities

3.0

Senior management

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 1,128 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Aerospace & Defense industry (3.6 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

1K reviews

4.0

Aug 3, 2011

A fantastic learning opportunity and fun community

Visual strategy & design intern

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Access to places, ideas, projects and people that no average person has. There is a great culture there of community and pride in their work. Use NASA as a your employer and you can get anyone's attention.

Cons

Bureaucratic processes and constrained budgets. Lack of diversity of thought (strong scientific mindset only)

4.0

Jul 28, 2011

Exciting. Always an opportunity for change.

Communication and education specialist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Unbelievably great co-workers. Outstanding intellect. What can be more exciting than what we do -- robotic space exploration! JPL has an academe atmosphere. Lots of discussion, sharing of ideas, and exchange. Most employees have a collaborative nature and are willing to help on a project or team, or pass on knowledge. A lot of opportunity to have work variety, if you are assertive enough to make it happen.

Cons

Very political. Leadership and old timers (which there are a lot of) are stuck in old school approaches. Unclear future due to federal funding. Sometimes change is like herding cats - very difficult! JPL culture likes things to remain the same.

3.0

Jul 9, 2011

Fascinating to work on planetary and research programs

Senior engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

One of few places to work on spacecraft missions that are bound for the far reaches of the solar system. Many interesting and intelligent colleagues.

Cons

Some difficult personnel issues are not being professionally addressed by management at all levels for retention of laboratory talent during this crisis layoff period instituted by the Lab's Senior management.

Viewing 1072 - 1074 of 1,128 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Boeing

3.9★Compensation & Benefits

Lockheed Martin

3.9★Compensation & Benefits

Northrop Grumman

3.6★Compensation & Benefits

RTX

3.6★Compensation & Benefits

Jobs at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Medium Duty Driver II

Benefits Specialist II

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory reviews FAQs

Reviews NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory reviews

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

A fantastic learning opportunity and fun community

Exciting. Always an opportunity for change.

Fascinating to work on planetary and research programs

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory reviews FAQs

Want the inside scoop on your own company?

Bowls

Followed companies

Job searches

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory reviews FAQs

Jobs at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory