How much does a aerospace engineer make?
The median aerospace engineer in the United States earns $134,830 per year, about $64.82 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all aerospace engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 17-2011.
Aerospace engineer salary range
Pay for aerospace engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $85,350 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $205,850. The average (mean) wage of $141,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $85,350 | $41.04 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $104,740 | $50.36 | |
| Median (50th) | $134,830 | $64.82 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $174,480 | $83.88 | |
| 90th percentile | $205,850 | $98.97 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for aerospace engineers (SOC 17-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Aerospace engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Aerospace engineers earn the most in District of Columbia at $175,350 a year, and the least in Wisconsin at $75,790. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $175,350 | 330 |
| Washington | $158,600 | 5,700 |
| Maryland | $158,220 | 3,490 |
| Massachusetts | $152,210 | 990 |
| Colorado | $151,570 | 4,020 |
| Iowa | $150,010 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $147,940 | 140 |
| California | $143,860 | 9,330 |
| Georgia | $142,910 | 3,060 |
| Vermont | $140,520 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $139,770 | 1,940 |
| Arizona | $135,620 | 1,770 |
| Hawaii | $134,910 | 50 |
| Ohio | $134,230 | 3,770 |
| Maine | $133,660 | 130 |
| Alabama | $133,080 | 5,570 |
| Virginia | $132,160 | 2,820 |
| South Carolina | $131,820 | 450 |
| Utah | $130,670 | 1,000 |
| New Jersey | $128,400 | 1,550 |
| Florida | $127,680 | 3,100 |
| Kansas | $126,640 | 1,900 |
| Texas | $126,470 | 7,660 |
| New York | $125,270 | 730 |
| Illinois | $122,540 | 280 |
| Tennessee | $122,430 | 790 |
| Louisiana | $121,430 | 90 |
| Connecticut | $119,060 | 1,170 |
| Kentucky | $117,660 | 210 |
| North Carolina | $117,190 | 690 |
| Michigan | $115,540 | 390 |
| Oregon | $112,460 | 240 |
| Missouri | $112,220 | 840 |
| Oklahoma | $109,920 | 1,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $108,510 | 820 |
| Indiana | $104,160 | 470 |
| Arkansas | $103,900 | 130 |
| Nevada | $100,920 | 330 |
| Alaska | $100,610 | 80 |
| Mississippi | $96,810 | 100 |
| Idaho | $81,570 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $75,790 | 130 |
State median wages for aerospace engineers (SOC 17-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for aerospace engineers
The BLS projects employment of aerospace engineers to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 68,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 74,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,800 openings a year for aerospace engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an aerospace engineer
The typical entry-level education for aerospace engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an aerospace engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $175,350) and the lowest (Wisconsin, $75,790) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 68,440 people work as aerospace engineers in the United States. At $134,830 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Aerospace engineer salary FAQ
How much does an aerospace engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an aerospace engineer is $64.82. The middle half of aerospace engineers earn between $50.36 and $83.88 per hour.
What is the highest aerospace engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of aerospace engineers earn more than $205,850 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an aerospace engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for an aerospace engineer is $134,830. The average (mean) wage of $141,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an aerospace engineer a well paid job?
At $134,830 a year, an aerospace engineer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 68,440 people work as aerospace engineers in the United States.
Which state pays aerospace engineers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for aerospace engineers at $175,350 a year. Washington ($158,600) and Maryland ($158,220) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an aerospace engineer a good career?
Employment of aerospace engineers is projected to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an aerospace engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for aerospace engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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