Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Aerospace Engineer vs Civil Engineer salary

In United States, a aerospace engineer earns about 43% more than a civil engineer $154,000 vs $108,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Engineering
Aerospace Engineer
$154,000/yr
Monthly
$12,800
Hourly
$74
Range
$104,100$215,000
10-yr outlook
+6%
Engineering
Civil Engineer
$108,000/yr
Monthly
$9,000
Hourly
$52
Range
$74,000$149,600
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAerospace EngineerCivil Engineer
Entry (10th)$104,100$74,000
25th$129,100$91,000
Median$154,000$108,000
75th$184,500$128,800
Senior (90th)$215,000$149,600

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Engineering comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a aerospace engineer or civil engineer earn more in United States?
A aerospace engineer earns more, at about $154,000 per year vs $108,000 for a civil engineer — roughly 43% ($46,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A aerospace engineer typically earns $104,100–$215,000, while a civil engineer earns $74,000–$149,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a aerospace engineer averages about $12,800 and a civil engineer about $9,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a aerospace engineer earns about $104,100 while a civil engineer earns about $74,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a aerospace engineer earns about $215,000 while a civil engineer earns about $149,600 per year.
Are aerospace engineer and civil engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Engineering category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.