Aerospace engineer salary
BLS occupation: Aerospace Engineers · Architecture and engineering · data for May 2025
Median salary $134,960 a year, US
Median hourly pay $64.89 an hour
Middle half earn $106,110–$169,690 25th to 75th percentile
Aerospace engineers employed 67,710 +8.3% projected by 2035
How much does an aerospace engineer make?
- The median aerospace engineer salary in the US is $134,960 a year ($64.89 an hour): half of the 67,710 aerospace engineers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $142,060.
- The middle half earn between $106,110 and $169,690. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $86,700 and the top 10% more than $205,890.
- That is 2.6 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Minnesota pays aerospace engineers the most (median $159,060), followed by Washington ($158,370) and California ($157,620). Wisconsin pays the least ($88,400).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Minnesota, where the median is worth $161,284 in typical US prices, then Louisiana and Colorado.
- In 86 of the 88 metro areas with data, the median aerospace engineer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of aerospace engineers to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 3,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what aerospace engineers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Aerospace engineer salary range
Half of aerospace engineers earn between $106,110 and $169,690 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $86,700
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $106,110
Median Yearly pay: $134,960
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $169,690
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $205,890
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $86,700 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $106,110 |
| Median | $134,960 |
| Top 25% earn over | $169,690 |
| Top 10% earn over | $205,890 |
Aerospace engineer salary by state
Minnesota pays aerospace engineers the most; Wisconsin the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($134,960), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $159,060 median |
| Washington | $158,370 median |
| California | $157,620 median |
| District of Columbia | $157,600 median |
| Maryland | $156,750 median |
| Colorado | $156,190 median |
| Massachusetts | $149,470 median |
| Vermont | $144,400 median |
| Virginia | $143,210 median |
| Georgia | $140,460 median |
| Ohio | $138,440 median |
| Hawaii | $137,240 median |
| South Carolina | $137,030 median |
| Louisiana | $136,970 median |
| Utah | $135,840 median |
| Nebraska | $135,670 median |
| Pennsylvania | $133,940 median |
| New Mexico | $132,850 median |
| Missouri | $130,680 median |
| Kansas | $130,330 median |
| New York | $130,330 median |
| Texas | $130,270 median |
| Connecticut | $129,500 median |
| Florida | $129,280 median |
| Michigan | $128,960 median |
| Tennessee | $128,510 median |
| Alabama | $127,540 median |
| New Jersey | $126,430 median |
| Kentucky | $126,130 median |
| Oklahoma | $125,470 median |
| Oregon | $124,630 median |
| Arizona | $123,170 median |
| North Carolina | $122,930 median |
| Mississippi | $109,200 median |
| Illinois | $108,940 median |
| Indiana | $107,400 median |
| Arkansas | $102,040 median |
| Alaska | $101,710 median |
| Nevada | $96,730 median |
| Idaho | $95,700 median |
| Wisconsin | $88,400 median |
Where aerospace engineer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Aerospace engineers' pay goes furthest in Minnesota once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $161,284 |
| Louisiana | $155,282 |
| Colorado | $151,564 |
| Nebraska | $150,572 |
| Maryland | $149,344 |
| Ohio | $149,223 |
| Washington | $147,991 |
| Vermont | $147,410 |
| South Carolina | $146,167 |
| Georgia | $145,867 |
Aerospace engineer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $159,060 | $76.47 | $85,330 | $194,950 | 140 | $161,284 |
| Washington | $158,370 | $76.14 | $112,580 | $207,710 | 5,760 | $147,991 |
| California | $157,620 | $75.78 | $104,370 | $220,670 | 9,170 | $142,359 |
| District of Columbia | $157,600 | $75.77 | $98,200 | $196,310 | 290 | $143,402 |
| Maryland | $156,750 | $75.36 | $97,460 | $232,930 | 3,180 | $149,344 |
| Colorado | $156,190 | $75.09 | $101,970 | $210,410 | 4,070 | $151,564 |
| Massachusetts | $149,470 | $71.86 | $89,750 | $217,840 | 990 | $141,333 |
| Vermont | $144,400 | $69.42 | $93,460 | $172,160 | 100 | $147,410 |
| Virginia | $143,210 | $68.85 | $95,420 | $226,950 | 2,540 | $141,646 |
| Georgia | $140,460 | $67.53 | $84,520 | $205,540 | 2,230 | $145,867 |
| Ohio | $138,440 | $66.56 | $82,830 | $201,670 | 3,710 | $149,223 |
| Hawaii | $137,240 | $65.98 | $117,700 | $247,260 | 40 | $124,819 |
| South Carolina | $137,030 | $65.88 | $81,460 | $170,150 | 650 | $146,167 |
| Louisiana | $136,970 | $65.85 | $110,300 | $197,930 | 90 | $155,282 |
| Utah | $135,840 | $65.31 | $85,230 | $183,810 | 1,010 | $137,401 |
| Nebraska | $135,670 | $65.23 | $86,760 | $217,240 | 130 | $150,572 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,940 | $64.39 | $89,230 | $179,820 | 990 | $137,273 |
| New Mexico | $132,850 | $63.87 | $97,350 | $195,110 | 570 | $144,070 |
| Missouri | $130,680 | $62.83 | $80,390 | $179,260 | 650 | $143,894 |
| Kansas | $130,330 | $62.66 | $80,860 | $167,400 | 1,730 | $144,702 |
| New York | $130,330 | $62.66 | $89,130 | $202,690 | 560 | $120,764 |
| Texas | $130,270 | $62.63 | $82,990 | $195,190 | 6,750 | $134,220 |
| Connecticut | $129,500 | $62.26 | $86,420 | $163,930 | 1,160 | $124,988 |
| Florida | $129,280 | $62.15 | $84,210 | $177,070 | 3,250 | $125,012 |
| Michigan | $128,960 | $62.00 | $76,130 | $180,160 | – | $134,030 |
| Tennessee | $128,510 | $61.78 | $79,690 | $171,560 | 610 | $139,882 |
| Alabama | $127,540 | $61.32 | $78,660 | $195,190 | 5,820 | $143,589 |
| New Jersey | $126,430 | $60.78 | $103,230 | $163,770 | 3,400 | $116,199 |
| Kentucky | $126,130 | $60.64 | $100,440 | $172,340 | 290 | $139,897 |
| Oklahoma | $125,470 | $60.32 | $80,040 | $161,780 | 1,090 | $142,834 |
| Oregon | $124,630 | $59.92 | $85,070 | $179,470 | 250 | $120,577 |
| Arizona | $123,170 | $59.22 | $88,920 | $193,990 | 3,110 | $122,342 |
| North Carolina | $122,930 | $59.10 | $79,310 | $176,720 | 650 | $130,325 |
| Mississippi | $109,200 | $52.50 | $78,640 | $171,220 | 90 | $125,585 |
| Illinois | $108,940 | $52.38 | $78,170 | $184,520 | 200 | $108,986 |
| Indiana | $107,400 | $51.63 | $82,530 | $176,860 | 440 | $115,077 |
| Arkansas | $102,040 | $49.06 | $72,590 | $155,680 | 180 | $117,372 |
| Alaska | $101,710 | $48.90 | $81,650 | $170,340 | 100 | $99,366 |
| Nevada | $96,730 | $46.50 | $77,920 | $179,050 | 270 | $96,750 |
| Idaho | $95,700 | $46.01 | $64,870 | $139,190 | 190 | $100,216 |
| Wisconsin | $88,400 | $42.50 | $65,720 | $147,560 | 120 | $93,948 |
BLS does not publish pay for aerospace engineers in 10 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Aerospace engineer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes aerospace engineer pay: 89 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Francisco, CA $191,260
- San Jose, CA $181,630
- Omaha, NE $171,380
- Boulder, CO $167,160
- Baltimore, MD $166,980
- Washington, DC $166,420
- Seattle, WA $163,580
- Los Angeles, CA $163,280
- Minneapolis, MN $159,950
- Denver, CO $156,190
Where the pay goes furthest
- Omaha, NE $186,463
- San Francisco, CA $165,431
- San Jose, CA $164,486
- New Orleans, LA $161,377
- Baltimore, MD $159,809
- Boulder, CO $158,894
- Decatur, AL $158,763
- Provo, UT $153,412
- Washington, DC $152,842
- Minneapolis, MN $152,592
All 89 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $191,260 | 510 | $165,431 | 22% |
| San Jose, CA | $181,630 | 930 | $164,486 | 25% |
| Omaha, NE | $171,380 | – | $186,463 | 10% |
| Boulder, CO | $167,160 | 800 | $158,894 | 16% |
| Baltimore, MD | $166,980 | 1,220 | $159,809 | 14% |
| Washington, DC | $166,420 | 2,420 | $152,842 | 17% |
| Seattle, WA | $163,580 | 5,480 | $147,193 | 17% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $163,280 | 5,200 | $143,775 | 22% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $159,950 | 120 | $152,592 | 13% |
| Denver, CO | $156,190 | 2,010 | $147,653 | 15% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $151,980 | 990 | $150,913 | 14% |
| Provo, UT | $150,700 | 40 | $153,412 | 14% |
| Atlanta, GA | $150,220 | – | $150,133 | 15% |
| Boston, MA | $149,470 | 960 | $138,058 | 24% |
| New Orleans, LA | $149,430 | 40 | $161,377 | 13% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $144,020 | – | $150,734 | 13% |
| Cleveland, OH | $143,020 | 460 | $152,274 | 12% |
| Waterbury, CT | $142,840 | 80 | $143,158 | – |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $141,010 | 210 | $139,797 | 14% |
| Greeley, CO | $140,780 | 50 | $140,533 | 14% |
| Spokane, WA | $140,540 | 60 | $140,055 | 13% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $139,010 | 800 | $141,932 | 16% |
| Portland, OR | $138,670 | 110 | $131,539 | 16% |
| Decatur, AL | $138,460 | 100 | $158,763 | 9% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $138,380 | 960 | $137,336 | 18% |
| Charleston, SC | $137,030 | 340 | $135,724 | 18% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $136,860 | 70 | $151,709 | 13% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $136,590 | 30 | $138,169 | 18% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $135,490 | 40 | $124,765 | 25% |
| San Diego, CA | $135,010 | 800 | $120,666 | 26% |
| Dallas, TX | $134,570 | 3,430 | $130,536 | 15% |
| Chicago, IL | $134,510 | 120 | $129,842 | 19% |
| Ogden, UT | $134,240 | 550 | $133,773 | 15% |
| Houston, TX | $133,970 | 1,890 | $135,832 | 15% |
| Albany, NY | $133,840 | 150 | $134,423 | 15% |
| Nashville, TN | $133,810 | 70 | $138,896 | 16% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $132,850 | 290 | $139,043 | 13% |
| Charlotte, NC | $132,830 | 100 | $136,449 | 16% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $132,800 | 150 | $131,319 | 18% |
| Sacramento, CA | $132,230 | 200 | $123,962 | 21% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $131,570 | 1,360 | $131,563 | 17% |
| Miami, FL | $131,210 | 460 | $114,940 | 24% |
| Huntsville, AL | $131,090 | 4,880 | $140,848 | 13% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $130,870 | 100 | $120,287 | 30% |
| Wichita, KS | $130,720 | 1,430 | $146,966 | 11% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $130,470 | 1,360 | $126,282 | 16% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $130,230 | 740 | $144,047 | 13% |
| Memphis, TN | $129,830 | 130 | $140,846 | 13% |
| Riverside, CA | $129,530 | 120 | $121,691 | 23% |
| Dayton, OH | $129,410 | 1,400 | $139,610 | 12% |
| Detroit, MI | $128,960 | 260 | $128,577 | 14% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $128,720 | 700 | $127,590 | 17% |
| Oxnard, CA | $128,670 | 110 | $116,408 | 28% |
| Crestview, FL | $128,440 | 190 | $132,370 | 18% |
| San Antonio, TX | $128,400 | 300 | $135,563 | 13% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $128,390 | 90 | $135,617 | 14% |
| Rochester, NY | $127,910 | 30 | $131,818 | 14% |
| New York, NY | $126,620 | 770 | $112,488 | 34% |
| Tampa, FL | $126,500 | 140 | $125,384 | 19% |
| Louisville, KY | $126,130 | 120 | $135,516 | 13% |
| Gulfport, MS | $125,580 | 40 | $139,524 | 14% |
| Columbus, OH | $125,500 | 270 | $131,456 | 15% |
| Akron, OH | $124,980 | 140 | $133,855 | 13% |
| Orlando, FL | $124,420 | 240 | $122,680 | 19% |
| Austin, TX | $123,210 | 390 | $125,640 | 16% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $122,690 | 30 | $123,747 | 20% |
| Deltona, FL | $122,270 | 50 | $123,049 | 17% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $120,490 | 120 | $128,469 | 15% |
| Richmond, VA | $120,370 | 110 | $123,005 | 17% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $119,430 | 360 | $120,049 | 17% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $117,840 | 80 | $127,160 | 15% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $112,140 | 330 | $117,184 | 16% |
| El Paso, TX | $109,810 | 50 | $122,131 | 17% |
| Hartford, CT | $108,900 | 720 | $105,990 | 22% |
| Tulsa, OK | $107,110 | 190 | $120,060 | 15% |
| Knoxville, TN | $107,100 | 90 | $115,697 | 19% |
| Tucson, AZ | $106,760 | 1,720 | $110,180 | 17% |
| Bend, OR | $105,760 | – | $102,078 | 25% |
| Kansas City, MO | $105,730 | 300 | $114,250 | 17% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $102,290 | 100 | $101,398 | 22% |
| Greenville, SC | $102,280 | 210 | $109,672 | 18% |
| Little Rock, AR | $102,040 | 90 | $114,185 | 15% |
| Anchorage, AK | $101,710 | 70 | $96,481 | 22% |
| Buffalo, NY | $100,580 | 30 | $104,941 | 17% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $98,510 | 180 | $98,299 | 21% |
| Mobile, AL | $97,730 | 230 | $110,933 | 16% |
| Birmingham, AL | $93,400 | 140 | $101,916 | 18% |
| Reno, NV | $89,460 | 50 | $88,562 | 28% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $79,610 | 30 | $92,861 | 19% |
What the median aerospace engineer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $134,960 |
| Month | $11,247 |
| Every two weeks | $5,191 |
| Week | $2,595 |
| Hour | $64.89 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an aerospace engineer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +8.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 3,800 |
| Self-employed | 0.2% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | $100,840 | Bachelor's degree |
| Electrical engineer | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| Chemical engineer | $125,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer hardware engineer | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| Petroleum engineer | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| Architect | $99,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| Mechanical engineer | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
| Surveyor | $75,440 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about aerospace engineer pay
How much does an aerospace engineer make an hour?
The median is $64.89 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $41.68 and the top 10% over $98.98.
How much does an aerospace engineer make a month?
About $11,247 a month before taxes at the median salary of $134,960, or $5,191 every two weeks.
What state pays aerospace engineers the most?
Minnesota, with a median of $159,060. Washington ($158,370), California ($157,620), the District of Columbia ($157,600) and Maryland ($156,750) follow.
Where do aerospace engineers make the most after cost of living?
Minnesota: its median of $159,060 is worth $161,284 at typical US prices. Louisiana, Colorado and Nebraska come next.
How much do entry-level aerospace engineers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of aerospace engineers earn under $86,700 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $106,110, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an aerospace engineer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 17-2011 (Aerospace Engineers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.