> It's like when people write entire programming languages for free. The job is so enjoyable that it lowers the salary to zero.

Dang, I thing you nailed it!

(I'd work on rocket engines for free, too!)

Are SpaceX salaries lower than average then?

Anecdotally, SpaceX pays less than other aerospace companies. Source: I used to work at Boeing, I have friends at SpaceX and various other aerospace companies.

How does SpaceX even succeed at what they do while paying below market rate?

It's supply and demand. Lots of people want to work on rockets, so SpaceX doesn't need to pay them as much. It actually is the market rate for rocket engineers.

Double down on this. I want to work in Aerospace, but not for the military industrial complex. Who do I work for?

You won't be doing any military work if you work at BCAC (Boeing Commercial Airplane Company).

Interesting. If true, this (and maybe to a lesser degree games developers) is a micro example of the macro job market. Akin to minor league baseball players, entry-level news reporters, bloggers, etc.

Not to mention the benefits that comes from a government job in India.