The future of work is about to get wild, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman just dropped a prediction that sounds like it’s straight from a sci-fi movie. According to Altman, Gen Z will work in space within the next decade, earning sky high salaries while exploring the solar system. Speaking to video journalist Cleo Abram in December 2025, Altman painted a picture of 2035 graduates ditching boring desk jobs for exciting careers in space exploration.fortune+1
Sam Altman’s Vision for Gen Z Space Jobs
Sam Altman isn’t just throwing around random predictions. The billionaire tech leader genuinely believes that by 2035, fresh college graduates might be boarding spaceships for high-paying missions instead of joining traditional corporate jobs. He even admitted feeling envious of young people because current careers will look “really boring” compared to what’s coming.
During his interview, Altman explained that AI will fundamentally reshape industries, and the most exciting opportunities might exist beyond Earth. He stated that graduating students “could very well be leaving on a mission to explore the solar system on a spaceship in some completely new, exciting, super well-paid, super interesting job”.
This isn’t just wishful thinking. The space industry is already experiencing massive growth, especially in the United States. Private companies like SpaceX are aggressively hiring across engineering, software, IT, and management roles.
How AI is Creating Revolutionary Space Opportunities
Artificial intelligence is the secret sauce making space jobs accessible to Gen Z. Altman believes AI driven productivity gains will make large-scale space activity economically viable, creating unprecedented demand for workers.
Traditional space exploration required years of specialized training, but AI is changing that equation. Future space work could include designing spacecraft, running AI-assisted mission control, managing in-space manufacturing, or planning interplanetary cargo routes. AI-powered tools are already used for autonomous navigation, predictive maintenance, and data analysis in space research.edexlive
Bill Gates recently suggested employees might only need to work two or three days weekly as AI handles routine tasks. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang echoed this view, highlighting that AI enables professionals to perform at exceptional levels. Altman takes this further, claiming AI tools are becoming so powerful that one person could build a billion-dollar company alone.
The Reality Behind Sky-High Space Salaries
Let’s talk money because that’s what makes this interesting. Aerospace engineers currently earn impressive salaries, with the average annual pay reaching $108,638 in the United States. Top earners in the field make around $142,500 annually, while specialized roles can push salaries even higher.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, aerospace engineers earn over $130,000 on average, and these figures are climbing as private space missions increase. Entry level aerospace engineers with less than one year of experience start around $78,916, quickly jumping to $88,077 within 1-4 years.
Altman predicts these salaries will skyrocket as space exploration becomes mainstream. However, he’s brutally honest about the transition period. Many current early-career roles, especially those involving repetitive tasks, will disappear before new space jobs fully emerge.
NASA’s Mars Mission Timeline Aligns with Altman’s Prediction
Altman’s 2035 timeline isn’t random it perfectly syncs with NASA’s ambitious Mars mission plans. NASA aims to send humans on a scientific round trip to Mars potentially as early as 2035. The journey will take six to seven months each way, covering up to 250 million miles in each direction.
Astronauts may spend approximately 500 days on Mars’ surface before returning to Earth. NASA’s Artemis program is currently preparing for this by returning humans to the Moon this decade as a training ground. Artemis III, scheduled for 2026, will land astronauts at the Moon’s south pole to practice living and working in space.space+1
Since the Moon sits just 240,000 miles from Earth, it serves as the perfect testing environment for future Mars exploration. Artemis astronauts will establish habitats and spend months exploring the lunar surface, developing capabilities needed for the red planet.
Skills Gen Z Needs for Space-Era Careers
What should Gen Z focus on to grab these opportunities? Altman’s prediction comes with homework attached. Strong STEM backgrounds (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) remain fundamental. Knowledge of AI, robotics, and aerospace technologies will separate candidates from the competition.
However, technical skills alone won’t cut it. Creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability will prove crucial as space-era jobs evolve. The ability to work with AI systems and understand how to leverage automation will become as basic as knowing Microsoft Office is today.
Altman regularly thinks about what it would take for an AI system to outperform him in leadership. He believes it’s only “single-digit years” before AI can run major departments at OpenAI. This means future workers must learn to collaborate with AI, not compete against it
The Uncomfortable Truth About Transition
Altman isn’t sugarcoating the journey to these amazing space jobs. He bluntly acknowledges that AI will eliminate certain jobs entirely before new opportunities fully materialize. The promise of sky high salaries comes only after AI fundamentally reshapes the labor market.
Many Gen Z members are already discovering their academic credentials don’t guarantee easy workforce entry. This painful transition period is real and happening now. Jobs built around predictable or repetitive tasks face extinction.
Altman expects AI to eventually replace even himself as OpenAI CEO, viewing it as a goal rather than a threat. He’d consider it a failure if OpenAI isn’t among the first major companies run by AI leadership. This radical transparency about AI’s impact separates hype from reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will Gen Z really work in space by 2035?
Yes, according to Sam Altman’s prediction, 2035 graduates could be joining space exploration missions with high salaries. NASA’s Mars mission timeline supports this possibility.
Q2: What salary can aerospace engineers expect in space jobs?
Current aerospace engineers earn $108,638 on average, with top earners making $142,500 annually. Space job salaries are expected to increase dramatically.
Q3: Do I need to be an astronaut to work in space industry?
No, space careers include engineering, IT, mission control, data analysis, manufacturing, and logistics roles. Many jobs support space missions from Earth.
Q4: Which companies are hiring for space jobs right now?
SpaceX leads private space hiring with 13,000 employees. NASA, ISRO, and other private space companies also offer opportunities.
Q5: How is AI changing space exploration careers?
AI enables autonomous navigation, predictive maintenance, and data analysis, making space jobs more accessible. It’s reducing the specialized training traditionally required.
Q6: When will NASA send humans to Mars?
NASA plans crewed Mars missions potentially as early as 2035, with astronauts spending 500 days on the surface. Artemis program prepares for this through Moon missions.space+1
Q7: What skills should Gen Z develop for space careers?
Focus on STEM education, AI knowledge, robotics, problem-solving, and adaptability. Learning to work alongside AI systems is crucial.indiaherald
Q8: Will AI eliminate jobs before creating space opportunities?
Yes, Sam Altman admits many current jobs will disappear during the transition period. Repetitive and predictable roles face elimination first.moneycontrol
Conclusion: The Final Frontier Awaits Gen Z
Sam Altman’s prediction that Gen Z will work in space by 2035 isn’t science fiction—it’s a calculated forecast backed by NASA’s Mars mission timeline and explosive private space industry growth. While the transition involves job displacement through AI automation, the opportunities emerging in space exploration offer unprecedented career possibilities with sky-high salaries. Gen Z should prepare now by building STEM skills, understanding AI, and embracing adaptability, because the next decade will literally launch careers beyond Earth.
Direct Answer: Yes, Gen Z will likely have opportunities to work in space-related jobs by 2035, including roles in Mars missions, space station projects, and AI-assisted space exploration, earning significantly higher salaries than traditional careers as NASA and private companies like SpaceX expand human presence beyond Earth.
References:
- NASA Mars Mission Information: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/moon-to-mars/
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Aerospace Data: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm