How Much Does an Aerospace Engineer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$134,960
Aerospace engineers in the U.S. earn a median of $134,960 a year, or $64.89 an hour. Half of aerospace engineers earn more than $134,960 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $205,890.
Pay percentiles for aerospace engineers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41.68 | $86,700 |
| 25th | $51.02 | $106,110 |
| 50th (median) | $64.89 | $134,960 |
| 75th | $81.58 | $169,690 |
| 90th | $98.98 | $205,890 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Aerospace Engineers (SOC 17-2011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for aerospace engineers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $159,060 | $76.47 | +18% |
| Washington | $158,370 | $76.14 | +17% |
| California | $157,620 | $75.78 | +17% |
| District of Columbia | $157,600 | $75.77 | +17% |
| Maryland | $156,750 | $75.36 | +16% |
| Colorado | $156,190 | $75.09 | +16% |
| Massachusetts | $149,470 | $71.86 | +11% |
| Vermont | $144,400 | $69.42 | +7% |
| Virginia | $143,210 | $68.85 | +6% |
| Georgia | $140,460 | $67.53 | +4% |
| United States | $134,960 | $64.89 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many aerospace engineers are there?
BLS counts about 67,710 aerospace engineers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (9,170), Texas (6,750) and Alabama (5,820).
The mean (average) annual wage is $142,060, higher than the median of $134,960.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $11,247
- Biweekly
- $5,191
- Weekly
- $2,595
- Daily (8 hours)
- $519
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do aerospace engineers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for aerospace engineers is $64.89. The middle 50% earn between $51.02 and $81.58 an hour.
Which state pays aerospace engineers the most?
Minnesota has the highest median wage for aerospace engineers at $159,060, +18% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for aerospace engineers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of aerospace engineers earn less than $86,700 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.