SOC 172011

Aerospace Engineers

Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

National Median

$134,830

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$134,830

Entry Level (10th pct)

$85,350

Experienced (90th pct)

$205,850

Total Employed

68,440

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$85,350 - $104,740
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$104,740 - $174,480
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$174,480 - $205,850

Highest Paying Locations for Aerospace Engineers

District of Columbia

$175,350

+30.1% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$174,130

+29.1% vs national

Colorado Springs, CO

$170,080

+26.1% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$167,340

+24.1% vs national

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

$161,580

+19.8% vs national

Aerospace Engineers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
District of Columbia	$175,350	330
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$174,130	5,350
Colorado Springs, CO	$170,080	680
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$167,340	840
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$161,580	1,240
Omaha, NE-IA	$160,630	N/A
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$160,000	210
Washington	$158,600	5,700
Maryland	$158,220	3,490
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$158,170	260
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$157,980	2,750
Massachusetts	$152,210	990
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$151,800	1,910
Colorado	$151,570	4,020
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$151,080	940
Iowa	$150,010	N/A
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$147,940	110
Minnesota	$147,940	140
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$145,860	120
California	$143,860	9,330
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$143,860	6,090
Boulder, CO	$143,210	1,120
Lexington Park, MD	$142,940	950
Georgia	$142,910	3,060
Vermont	$140,520	90
Cleveland, OH	$140,400	530
New Mexico	$139,770	1,940
Albuquerque, NM	$139,610	320
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$139,260	1,210
Huntsville, AL	$139,110	4,580
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$137,420	1,340
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$136,590	70
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$136,470	690
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area	$135,740	50
Arizona	$135,620	1,770
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$135,530	610
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$135,350	N/A
Hawaii	$134,910	50
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$134,490	90
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$134,230	370
Ohio	$134,230	3,770
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$134,190	110
Maine	$133,660	130
Alabama	$133,080	5,570
Las Cruces, NM	$133,020	N/A
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$132,970	1,250
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$132,320	750
Urban Honolulu, HI	$132,200	40
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$132,160	940
Virginia	$132,160	2,820

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Aerospace Engineers?

The national median annual salary for Aerospace Engineers is $134,830, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Aerospace Engineerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Aerospace Engineerss is District of Columbia, with a median salary of $175,350.

How much can an experienced Aerospace Engineers make?

Top-earning Aerospace Engineerss (90th percentile) make $205,850 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.