Aerospace Engineer Salary Guide — Compensation Data & Negotiation Tips
The BLS reports a median annual wage of $134,830 for aerospace engineers as of May 2024, placing this discipline among the highest-compensated engineering specialties in the United States [1]. With renewed investment in defense, commercial space, and advanced air mobility, aerospace engineers who combine domain expertise with modern computational skills command premium compensation.
Key Takeaways
- The national median salary for aerospace engineers is $134,830, with the 90th percentile exceeding $205,850 [1].
- Top-paying states include Washington, California, and the District of Columbia, driven by defense contractors and space companies [2].
- Defense and space manufacturing sectors employ the most aerospace engineers and offer competitive salaries plus security clearance premiums.
- Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024-2034, with approximately 3,800 openings annually [3].
National Salary Overview
The BLS classifies aerospace engineers under SOC code 17-2011. As of May 2024, the national compensation profile is [1]:
| Metric | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Mean (Average) | $139,400 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $134,830 |
| Total Employment | 59,200 |
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0-2 years) | $85,350 - $100,000 |
| Mid-Level (3-7 years) | $100,000 - $134,830 |
| Senior (8-15 years) | $134,830 - $175,000 |
| Principal/Fellow (15+ years) | $175,000 - $205,850+ |
Entry-level aerospace engineers start near the BLS 10th percentile ($85,350), while principal engineers and technical fellows at major contractors regularly exceed $200,000 [1][4].
Top-Paying States
| Rank | State | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $165,300 |
| 2 | Washington | $158,700 |
| 3 | California | $155,200 |
| 4 | Colorado | $150,400 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $148,900 |
| 6 | Maryland | $147,200 |
| 7 | Virginia | $145,600 |
| 8 | Texas | $140,800 |
| 9 | Alabama | $138,500 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $137,200 |
Washington's high wages reflect Boeing's Puget Sound operations and Blue Origin's Kent headquarters. Alabama's presence is driven by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and the Huntsville defense corridor [2][5].
Top-Paying Metro Areas
| Rank | Metro Area | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD | $162,500 |
| 2 | Huntsville, AL | $155,800 |
| 3 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $153,200 |
| 4 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $151,600 |
| 5 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $148,300 |
| 6 | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $146,900 |
| 7 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $145,200 |
| 8 | Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $143,800 |
Huntsville's second-place ranking reflects the concentrated aerospace and defense ecosystem surrounding Redstone Arsenal and NASA MSFC [5].
Salary by Specialization
| Specialization | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Spacecraft/Launch Vehicle Design | $130,000 - $200,000 |
| Propulsion Engineering | $125,000 - $190,000 |
| Avionics/Flight Systems | $120,000 - $185,000 |
| Structural Analysis (FEA) | $115,000 - $175,000 |
| Aerodynamics/CFD | $120,000 - $180,000 |
| Systems Engineering | $130,000 - $195,000 |
| Flight Test Engineering | $125,000 - $185,000 |
| GNC (Guidance, Navigation, Control) | $135,000 - $200,000 |
GNC engineers and spacecraft systems engineers command top premiums due to the precision required and the high cost of failure in these domains [4].
Benefits and Total Compensation
- Security Clearance Premium: Active Secret or Top Secret clearance adds $10,000-$25,000 to base salary
- Retirement: 401(k) with 4-8% employer match at major contractors; defined benefit pensions still exist at some legacy firms
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage standard; defense contractors often offer superior plans
- Relocation: $10,000-$30,000 packages common for moves to remote test facilities or manufacturing sites
- Education Benefits: Tuition reimbursement of $10,000-$25,000/year for advanced degrees (common at Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman)
- 9/80 Schedules: Many defense contractors offer compressed work weeks (every other Friday off)
- Annual Bonuses: 5-15% of base salary depending on program performance and company profitability
How to Negotiate
- Leverage your clearance level: An active TS/SCI clearance is worth $15,000-$25,000 in market value — quantify this when negotiating with cleared programs.
- Cite BLS percentile positioning: If you have 5+ years of experience, position your ask between the 50th and 75th percentile ($134,830-$165,000) with supporting data [1].
- Highlight program impact: "Reduced aerodynamic drag by 8% on the X program, saving $12M in fuel costs over the platform lifecycle" speaks directly to value.
- Negotiate education benefits: If the base salary is firm, negotiate for fully funded master's or doctoral programs — a $50,000+ value at top aerospace engineering schools.
- Consider total compensation: Defense contractors may offer lower base salaries than tech companies but provide superior benefits (pensions, 9/80 schedules, job stability).
- Time your move strategically: Major contract awards (NGAD, Artemis, commercial crew) create hiring surges with more negotiating flexibility.
Salary Growth
The BLS projects 6% employment growth for aerospace engineers from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 3,800 openings annually [3]. Growth drivers include:
- Space commercialization: SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab are scaling rapidly, creating thousands of new roles [6]
- Defense modernization: NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance), hypersonics, and autonomous systems programs are expanding [7]
- Advanced air mobility: eVTOL companies (Joby Aviation, Archer) are moving toward FAA certification, requiring traditional aerospace engineering talent
- Satellite constellations: Starlink, Kuiper, and government LEO programs drive demand for spacecraft engineers
Aerospace engineer salaries have grown 4-6% annually over the past five years, outpacing general inflation [1].
Key Takeaways
- Median salary of $134,830 ranks aerospace engineering among the top-paying engineering disciplines [1].
- Security clearance holders earn significant premiums beyond base salary.
- Huntsville, AL and the DC metro area offer top wages with lower cost of living than coastal tech hubs.
- 6% projected growth through 2034 ensures sustained demand, with space commercialization as the primary driver [3].
Showcase your aerospace expertise effectively. Resume Geni helps you build an ATS-optimized aerospace engineer resume that highlights technical depth and program impact.
FAQ
What is the starting salary for an aerospace engineer? Entry-level aerospace engineers earn approximately $85,350-$100,000, corresponding to the BLS 10th-25th percentile range [1].
Do aerospace engineers need a master's degree? A bachelor's in aerospace or mechanical engineering is sufficient for most positions. Master's degrees are valued for specialized roles in GNC, propulsion, and research, and many employers offer tuition reimbursement.
How does defense vs. commercial aerospace pay compare? Defense contractors offer competitive base salaries plus security clearance premiums, 9/80 schedules, and pension benefits. Commercial aerospace and space startups may offer higher base salaries and equity but less job stability.
Which aerospace engineering certification pays the most? Professional Engineer (PE) licensure adds $5,000-$15,000 to salary. Program Management Professional (PMP) certification is valued for systems engineering and leadership roles.
Is aerospace engineering a growing field? Yes. The BLS projects 6% growth through 2034, with 3,800 annual openings driven by space commercialization, defense modernization, and advanced air mobility [3].
Do aerospace engineers travel frequently? It depends on the role. Flight test engineers and field service representatives travel extensively, while design and analysis roles are primarily office-based. Remote work options have expanded post-2020 for non-classified work.
What programming languages help aerospace engineers earn more? Python, MATLAB, C/C++, and Fortran (for legacy CFD codes) are standard. Proficiency in model-based systems engineering tools (MBSE) and digital twin platforms also commands premiums.
Citations: [1] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024: Aerospace Engineers (17-2011)," U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172011.htm [2] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates," U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm [3] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Aerospace Engineers," U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm [4] O*NET OnLine, "Aerospace Engineers (17-2011.00)," https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2011.00 [5] 24/7 Wall St., "States That Pay Aerospace Engineers the Most," https://247wallst.com/jobs/2024/02/22/these-states-pay-aerospace-engineers-the-most-2/ [6] SpaceX Careers, "Engineering Positions," https://www.spacex.com/careers [7] U.S. Department of Defense, "National Defense Strategy 2024," https://www.defense.gov/National-Defense-Strategy/ [8] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment Projections: 2024-2034," U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/emp/