Aerospace Engineering salary: how much does an aerospace engineer make?
An aerospace engineer in the US earns a median of $134,960 a year, about $64.89 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,700 and the top 10% earn over $205,890. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, Minnesota, has a median of $159,060.
Aerospace Engineering pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does an aerospace engineer make an hour?
The median aerospace engineer earns $64.89 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $41.68 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98.98 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $86,700 | $41.68 |
| Lower 25% | $106,110 | $51.02 |
| Median (typical) | $134,960 | $64.89 |
| Upper 25% | $169,690 | $81.58 |
| Top 10% | $205,890 | $98.98 |
Aerospace Engineering salary by state
Median annual pay for aerospace engineers by state, from BLS May 2025 data. “Not published” means BLS did not release a figure for that state, usually because too few employers reported this job there.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $127,540 | $61.32 |
| Alaska | $101,710 | $48.90 |
| Arizona | $123,170 | $59.22 |
| Arkansas | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| California | $157,620 | $75.78 |
| Colorado | $156,190 | $75.09 |
| Connecticut | $129,500 | $62.26 |
| Delaware | Not published | – |
| District of Columbia | $157,600 | $75.77 |
| Florida | $129,280 | $62.15 |
| Georgia | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Hawaii | $137,240 | $65.98 |
| Idaho | $95,700 | $46.01 |
| Illinois | $108,940 | $52.38 |
| Indiana | $107,400 | $51.63 |
| Iowa | Not published | – |
| Kansas | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Kentucky | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Louisiana | $136,970 | $65.85 |
| Maine | Not published | – |
| Maryland | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Massachusetts | $149,470 | $71.86 |
| Michigan | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Minnesota | $159,060 | $76.47 |
| Mississippi | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Missouri | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Montana | Not published | – |
| Nebraska | $135,670 | $65.23 |
| Nevada | $96,730 | $46.50 |
| New Hampshire | Not published | – |
| New Jersey | $126,430 | $60.78 |
| New Mexico | $132,850 | $63.87 |
| New York | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| North Carolina | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| North Dakota | Not published | – |
| Ohio | $138,440 | $66.56 |
| Oklahoma | $125,470 | $60.32 |
| Oregon | $124,630 | $59.92 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,940 | $64.39 |
| Rhode Island | Not published | – |
| South Carolina | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| South Dakota | Not published | – |
| Tennessee | $128,510 | $61.78 |
| Texas | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Utah | $135,840 | $65.31 |
| Vermont | $144,400 | $69.42 |
| Virginia | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| Washington | $158,370 | $76.14 |
| West Virginia | Not published | – |
| Wisconsin | $88,400 | $42.50 |
| Wyoming | Not published | – |
Highest-paying states for aerospace engineers
- Minnesota: $159,060 median
- Washington: $158,370 median
- California: $157,620 median
- District of Columbia: $157,600 median
- Maryland: $156,750 median
The lowest published medians are in Wisconsin ($88,400), Idaho ($95,700), Nevada ($96,730), Alaska ($101,710), Arkansas ($102,040). The most aerospace engineer jobs are in California (9,170 jobs), Texas (6,750 jobs), Alabama (5,820 jobs), Washington (5,760 jobs), Colorado (4,070 jobs).
How much does an aerospace engineer make a month?
At the median salary of $134,960, an aerospace engineer earns about $11,247 a month, $5,191 every two weeks or $2,595 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced aerospace engineer pay
New aerospace engineers typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,700 a year and the lowest 25% under $106,110. The top 25% earn over $169,690 and the top 10% over $205,890. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Aerospace Engineering salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Aerospace engineer | $134,960 |
| Mechanical engineer | $104,110 |
| Electrical engineer | $120,630 |
| Civil engineer | $100,840 |
| Chemical engineer | $125,040 |
| Biomedical engineer | $109,370 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Aeronautical engineering salary
Aeronautical engineers (aircraft) and astronautical engineers (spacecraft) are both counted as aerospace engineers by BLS: median $134,960 a year, $64.89 an hour, with the top 10% over $205,890 (May 2025). Many defense and space jobs require a security clearance.
Aerospace Engineering take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does an aerospace engineer make?
The US median is $134,960 a year ($64.89 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does an aerospace engineer make an hour?
The median is about $64.89 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $41.68 and the top 10% about $98.98 an hour.
Which state pays aerospace engineers the most?
Minnesota has the highest median at $159,060, followed by Washington ($158,370) and California ($157,620).
How much does an aerospace engineer make a month?
At the US median of $134,960 a year, about $11,247 a month or $5,191 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level aerospace engineer make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,700 a year and the lowest 25% under $106,110, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of aerospace engineers make?
The top 10% earn over $205,890 a year; the top 25% earn over $169,690.
How much does an aerospace engineer make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $157,620 in California, $130,270 in Texas, $129,280 in Florida, $130,330 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 17-2011, “Aerospace Engineers”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.