Jose Hernandez, the former NASA astronaut and real-life inspiration behind the film A Million Miles Away, has become more than just a space traveler. In 2025, many people are curious: How much money does Jose Hernandez have today? From space missions to movies, speeches, and books — Jose’s life has been a journey filled with purpose and success. Let’s dive into the story of Jose Hernandez’s net worth and how he built it from humble beginnings.
What Is Jose Hernandez’s Net Worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Jose Hernandez’s net worth is estimated to be between $1.5 million and $3 million. While this might seem low for someone who went to space, Jose’s wealth isn’t just about money. It reflects a life of service, education, and public speaking, rather than chasing big salaries or private ventures.
His earnings come from a mix of NASA salary, book deals, movie rights, public appearances, and consulting roles. Unlike celebrities or tech billionaires, Jose chose a path that focused on helping others, especially the Latino community, rather than chasing high-paying private sector jobs.
How Did Jose Hernandez Make His Money?
Jose Hernandez made his money through several sources over the years. His first income came from working as an engineer. Later, he earned a government salary as a NASA astronaut, which is public but not extremely high. As his story became more popular, he started to earn from:
- Book deals
- A Netflix movie based on his life
- Paid public speaking events
- Foundation and consulting work
His journey is unique because he didn’t become rich quickly. Instead, he slowly built up his earnings over time by working hard and sharing his inspiring story.
Salary from NASA
Jose Hernandez worked for NASA as part of the STS-128 space shuttle mission. During his time as an astronaut, he earned a GS-14 or GS-15 level salary, which is common for astronauts. At that time, the salary would range between $100,000 to $150,000 per year.
This income helped Jose live comfortably, but it wasn’t the kind of money that builds a huge fortune. He was working in a public service role, not for a private company or startup that pays millions. Still, he used that income wisely and invested in his future by writing, speaking, and continuing to work even after retiring from space missions.
Books and Movies
One major source of income came from book deals and the Netflix film “A Million Miles Away”, released in 2023. The film was based on his life and how he went from being a farmworker to an astronaut. It brought worldwide attention to his story.
Jose likely earned a licensing fee or royalty payment from the film production. While the exact figure is private, such deals often range from $100,000 to $500,000 depending on the deal and distribution rights. Additionally, Jose has published books about his life, which continue to sell and bring in passive income.
Public Speaking and Events
Another big source of income for Jose Hernandez comes from public speaking. He’s invited to schools, universities, tech companies, and cultural events to share his story. Public speakers like him can earn between $5,000 and $25,000 per event, depending on the size and audience.
Jose’s background makes him a great motivational speaker — he’s an engineer, astronaut, author, and Latino role model. These events not only provide income but also help him connect with communities around the world.
How Much Did Jose Hernandez Make from His Movie?
Although Netflix doesn’t release exact numbers, it’s likely that Jose earned between $250,000 to $500,000 from the film deal. This includes rights to his story, consulting on the script, and possibly royalties based on viewership or licensing.
This movie also boosted his personal brand, increasing demand for his books and public speaking appearances. After the movie, Jose became more well-known globally, which added new streams of income.
What Jobs Did Jose Hernandez Do Before Becoming Rich?
Jose Hernandez didn’t start rich. He was born in California to Mexican immigrant parents who worked as farm laborers. As a child, he worked in the fields with his family, picking crops from sunrise to sunset.
Later, he studied hard and became an electrical engineer. He worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he helped develop imaging systems for cancer detection. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was important work. From there, he applied to become an astronaut — and got rejected 11 times before being accepted.
His early jobs were focused on science, engineering, and public service — not on getting rich. But each job added experience and value that helped him earn more in the future.
Does Jose Hernandez Still Work Today?
Yes, Jose Hernandez still works today — just not as an astronaut. He spends most of his time doing public speaking, mentoring students, running his foundation, and sometimes working as a consultant in aerospace and education projects.
He also appears on TV shows, interviews, podcasts, and panel discussions. His mission today is about inspiring the next generation, especially Latino youth, to dream big and pursue careers in science, engineering, and space.
So while he’s not drawing a monthly paycheck from NASA anymore, he’s still very active and continues to earn income through his work.
Jose’s Foundation Work
In addition to his professional life, Jose runs the Reaching for the Stars Foundation. This nonprofit helps Latino students and underprivileged youth get access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.
He believes that every child, no matter where they come from, deserves a chance to reach their dreams — just like he did.
Support for Latino Youth
Jose uses his fame and resources to support Latino youth in several ways:
- Scholarships for STEM students
- School visits and mentorship programs
- STEM summer camps
- Speaking at educational conferences
This work doesn’t always bring in money. In fact, much of it is done for free or funded through donations. But it adds to Jose’s overall value as a leader and role model.
What Can We Learn from Jose Hernandez’s Net Worth Journey?
Jose’s story teaches us that net worth isn’t just about money. It’s about the impact you make, the lives you touch, and the legacy you leave. Even though Jose’s net worth is not in the tens of millions, he’s considered “rich” in experience, respect, and influence.
Some important lessons from his journey include:
- Hard work pays off, even if it takes time.
- Education opens doors — Jose went from a farmworker to an engineer.
- Rejection isn’t the end — he was rejected 11 times before becoming an astronaut.
- Giving back matters — he uses his success to help others rise.
Education and Early Life of Jose Hernandez
Jose was born in French Camp, California, and raised in Stockton. His parents were migrant farm workers from Michoacán, Mexico. Every year, they traveled between California and Mexico, following the harvest season.
Despite moving around so much, Jose was determined to get an education. He didn’t learn English until he was 12 but quickly caught up. He eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of the Pacific and a master’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
This strong foundation in education helped him apply to NASA and later become an astronaut.
Thoughts on Jose Hernandez’s Net Worth
While Jose Hernandez’s net worth in 2025 may not be as high as other public figures, the real value of his story lies in how he made his money — through persistence, education, and helping others. From working in the fields to walking in space, Jose’s journey shows us that success comes in many forms, and financial wealth is just one part of the picture.
The Bottom Line
Jose Hernandez is a symbol of hope and determination. His net worth in 2025 is estimated between $1.5 million and $3 million, built from NASA salaries, book deals, public speaking, and a popular Netflix movie. But beyond dollars, Jose’s legacy is his impact on education, STEM awareness, and Latino youth empowerment.
He proves that anyone — even a kid working in the fields — can shoot for the stars and land among them.