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Top 15 cities for aerospace engineers by average salary
| San Francisco, CA | $183,920 |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $181,690 |
| Omaha, NE | $172,720 |
| Washington, DC | $168,780 |
| Boulder, CO | $165,500 |
| Baltimore, MD | $165,160 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $161,520 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $160,950 |
| Seattle, WA | $156,970 |
| Denver, CO | $154,060 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $150,970 |
| New Orleans, LA | $149,150 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $148,790 |
| Greeley, CO | $148,610 |
| Provo, UT | $148,470 |
Map: Aerospace Engineers salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Aerospace Engineers salary by state
California pays aerospace engineers the most statewide, $159,960 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $159,960 | $157,620 | 9,170 | 10 | $183,920 | $133,000 |
| Maryland | $159,590 | $156,750 | 3,180 | 2 | $165,160 | $141,950 |
| Hawaii | $158,520 | $137,240 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $157,060 | $156,190 | 4,070 | 5 | $165,500 | $141,930 |
| Washington | $156,000 | $158,370 | 5,760 | 2 | $156,970 | $134,250 |
| Virginia | $155,770 | $143,210 | 2,540 | 3 | $142,550 | $137,420 |
| Washington, D.C. | $154,410 | $157,600 | 290 | 1 | $168,780 | $168,780 |
| Massachusetts | $145,810 | $149,470 | 990 | 1 | $145,650 | $145,650 |
| Minnesota | $145,470 | $159,060 | 140 | 1 | $148,790 | $148,790 |
| Nebraska | $145,420 | $135,670 | 130 | 1 | $172,720 | $172,720 |
| Louisiana | $143,670 | $136,970 | 90 | 1 | $149,150 | $149,150 |
| New Mexico | $141,430 | $132,850 | 570 | 2 | $143,200 | $133,290 |
| Georgia | $140,290 | $140,460 | 2,230 | 2 | $146,710 | $120,910 |
| Missouri | $139,820 | $130,680 | 650 | 1 | $106,440 | $106,440 |
| Utah | $139,280 | $135,840 | 1,010 | 3 | $150,970 | $134,470 |
| Vermont | $138,620 | $144,400 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $137,590 | $138,440 | 3,710 | 4 | $141,540 | $127,960 |
| Texas | $137,010 | $130,270 | 6,750 | 6 | $142,450 | $115,420 |
| New York | $135,720 | $130,330 | 560 | 4 | $141,190 | $115,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $135,340 | $133,940 | 990 | 1 | $136,340 | $136,340 |
| Kentucky | $133,200 | $126,130 | 290 | 1 | $136,960 | $136,960 |
| Alabama | $131,910 | $127,540 | 5,820 | 4 | $138,130 | $103,580 |
| New Jersey | $131,410 | $126,430 | 3,400 | 1 | $138,560 | $138,560 |
| South Carolina | $131,390 | $137,030 | 650 | 2 | $145,750 | $115,410 |
| Florida | $131,070 | $129,280 | 3,250 | 7 | $135,650 | $117,010 |
| Arizona | $130,150 | $123,170 | 3,110 | 2 | $143,030 | $120,380 |
| Oregon | $130,080 | $124,630 | 250 | 2 | $139,420 | $121,820 |
| Connecticut | $128,380 | $129,500 | 1,160 | 2 | $141,440 | $119,520 |
| North Carolina | $127,500 | $122,930 | 650 | 1 | $144,160 | $144,160 |
| Michigan | $125,820 | $128,960 | n/a | 3 | $134,980 | $115,880 |
| Illinois | $125,610 | $108,940 | 200 | 1 | $139,810 | $139,810 |
| Kansas | $125,550 | $130,330 | 1,730 | 1 | $130,220 | $130,220 |
| Tennessee | $122,320 | $128,510 | 610 | 3 | $133,740 | $122,700 |
| Oklahoma | $120,160 | $125,470 | 1,090 | 2 | $122,940 | $116,650 |
| Mississippi | $118,560 | $109,200 | 90 | 1 | $128,450 | $128,450 |
| Nevada | $118,420 | $96,730 | 270 | 2 | $120,120 | $118,600 |
| Indiana | $118,360 | $107,400 | 440 | 1 | $120,930 | $120,930 |
| Alaska | $113,920 | $101,710 | 100 | 1 | $116,950 | $116,950 |
| Wisconsin | $103,580 | $88,400 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arkansas | $102,100 | $102,040 | 180 | 2 | $106,690 | $89,790 |
| Idaho | $98,710 | $95,700 | 190 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
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Aerospace Engineers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $183,920 | $191,260 | $88.42 | 510 |
| San Jose, CA | $181,690 | $181,630 | $87.35 | 930 |
| Omaha, NE | $172,720 | $171,380 | $83.04 | n/a |
| Washington, DC | $168,780 | $166,420 | $81.15 | 2,420 |
| Boulder, CO | $165,500 | $167,160 | $79.57 | 800 |
| Baltimore, MD | $165,160 | $166,980 | $79.41 | 1,220 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $161,520 | $163,280 | $77.66 | 5,200 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $160,950 | $151,980 | $77.38 | 990 |
| Seattle, WA | $156,970 | $163,580 | $75.47 | 5,480 |
| Denver, CO | $154,060 | $156,190 | $74.07 | 2,010 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $150,970 | $141,010 | $72.58 | 210 |
| New Orleans, LA | $149,150 | $149,430 | $71.71 | 40 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $148,790 | $159,950 | $71.53 | 120 |
| Greeley, CO | $148,610 | $140,780 | $71.45 | 50 |
| Provo, UT | $148,470 | $150,700 | $71.38 | 40 |
| Atlanta, GA | $146,710 | $150,220 | $70.53 | n/a |
| Charleston, SC | $145,750 | $137,030 | $70.07 | 340 |
| Boston, MA | $145,650 | $149,470 | $70.03 | 960 |
| Sacramento, CA | $144,960 | $132,230 | $69.69 | 200 |
| San Diego, CA | $144,280 | $135,010 | $69.37 | 800 |
| Charlotte, NC | $144,160 | $132,830 | $69.31 | 100 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $143,350 | $135,490 | $68.92 | 40 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $143,200 | $132,850 | $68.84 | 290 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $143,030 | $130,470 | $68.76 | 1,360 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $142,550 | $139,010 | $68.54 | 800 |
| Dallas, TX | $142,450 | $134,570 | $68.49 | 3,430 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $141,950 | $138,380 | $68.25 | 960 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $141,930 | $132,800 | $68.24 | 150 |
| Cleveland, OH | $141,540 | $143,020 | $68.05 | 460 |
| Waterbury, CT | $141,440 | $142,840 | $68.00 | 80 |
| Albany, NY | $141,190 | $133,840 | $67.88 | 150 |
| Riverside, CA | $141,070 | $129,530 | $67.82 | 120 |
| Richmond, VA | $140,140 | $120,370 | $67.38 | 110 |
| New York, NY | $140,000 | $126,620 | $67.31 | 770 |
| Chicago, IL | $139,810 | $134,510 | $67.22 | 120 |
| Portland, OR | $139,420 | $138,670 | $67.03 | 110 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $138,560 | $136,590 | $66.61 | 30 |
| Houston, TX | $138,200 | $133,970 | $66.44 | 1,890 |
| Decatur, AL | $138,130 | $138,460 | $66.41 | 100 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $137,690 | $130,870 | $66.20 | 100 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $137,420 | $122,690 | $66.07 | 30 |
| Louisville, KY | $136,960 | $126,130 | $65.85 | 120 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $136,340 | $128,390 | $65.55 | 90 |
| Huntsville, AL | $135,660 | $131,090 | $65.22 | 4,880 |
| Miami, FL | $135,650 | $131,210 | $65.22 | 460 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $134,980 | $144,020 | $64.90 | n/a |
| Palm Bay, FL | $134,950 | $131,570 | $64.88 | 1,360 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $134,930 | $128,720 | $64.87 | 700 |
| Ogden, UT | $134,470 | $134,240 | $64.65 | 550 |
| Spokane, WA | $134,250 | $140,540 | $64.54 | 60 |
| Nashville, TN | $133,740 | $133,810 | $64.30 | 70 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $133,290 | $136,860 | $64.08 | 70 |
| Dayton, OH | $133,200 | $129,410 | $64.04 | 1,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $133,000 | $128,670 | $63.94 | 110 |
| Memphis, TN | $132,410 | $129,830 | $63.66 | 130 |
| San Antonio, TX | $132,090 | $128,400 | $63.50 | 300 |
| Columbus, OH | $130,760 | $125,500 | $62.87 | 270 |
| Wichita, KS | $130,220 | $130,720 | $62.61 | 1,430 |
| Detroit, MI | $129,240 | $128,960 | $62.13 | 260 |
| Gulfport, MS | $128,450 | $125,580 | $61.76 | 40 |
| Austin, TX | $128,370 | $123,210 | $61.72 | 390 |
| Akron, OH | $127,960 | $124,980 | $61.52 | 140 |
| Crestview, FL | $126,730 | $128,440 | $60.93 | 190 |
| Orlando, FL | $126,340 | $124,420 | $60.74 | 240 |
| Tampa, FL | $123,670 | $126,500 | $59.46 | 140 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $122,960 | $119,430 | $59.12 | 360 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $122,940 | $130,230 | $59.11 | 740 |
| Knoxville, TN | $122,700 | $107,100 | $58.99 | 90 |
| Rochester, NY | $121,830 | $127,910 | $58.57 | 30 |
| Bend, OR | $121,820 | $105,760 | $58.57 | n/a |
| Indianapolis, IN | $120,930 | $112,140 | $58.14 | 330 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $120,910 | $120,490 | $58.13 | 120 |
| Tucson, AZ | $120,380 | $106,760 | $57.87 | 1,720 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $120,130 | $117,840 | $57.76 | 80 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $120,120 | $98,510 | $57.75 | 180 |
| Hartford, CT | $119,520 | $108,900 | $57.46 | 720 |
| Reno, NV | $118,600 | $89,460 | $57.02 | 50 |
| Deltona, FL | $117,010 | $122,270 | $56.26 | 50 |
| Anchorage, AK | $116,950 | $101,710 | $56.23 | 70 |
| Tulsa, OK | $116,650 | $107,110 | $56.08 | 190 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $115,880 | $102,290 | $55.71 | 100 |
| El Paso, TX | $115,420 | $109,810 | $55.49 | 50 |
| Greenville, SC | $115,410 | $102,280 | $55.49 | 210 |
| Buffalo, NY | $115,300 | $100,580 | $55.43 | 30 |
| Little Rock, AR | $106,690 | $102,040 | $51.29 | 90 |
| Kansas City, MO | $106,440 | $105,730 | $51.17 | 300 |
| Mobile, AL | $105,010 | $97,730 | $50.49 | 230 |
| Birmingham, AL | $103,580 | $93,400 | $49.80 | 140 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $89,790 | $79,610 | $43.17 | 30 |
Related jobs
- Civil EngineersU.S. average $108,670
- Electrical EngineersU.S. average $125,100
- Industrial EngineersU.S. average $109,900
- Mechanical EngineersU.S. average $113,610
- Engineers, All OtherU.S. average $125,330
- Chemical EngineersU.S. average $129,980
- Electronics Engineers, Except ComputerU.S. average $137,280
- Environmental EngineersU.S. average $112,910
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Aerospace Engineers salary: questions
Where do aerospace engineers make the most money?
In San Francisco, CA, with an average of $183,920 a year, among the 89 metro areas we cover.
What is the average aerospace engineers salary in the U.S.?
$142,060 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $134,960, so half of aerospace engineers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should aerospace engineers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of aerospace engineers nationwide earn between $106,110 (25th percentile) and $169,690 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays aerospace engineers the most?
California, with a statewide average of $159,960 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is aerospace engineers pay the lowest?
Hot Springs, AR, at $89,790 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 17-2011.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.