Engineering · United States

Aerospace Engineer Salary in United States

The United States median is $148,000 per year, with observed city pay up to Washington DC at $196,000.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Aerospace Engineer pay in United States: Washington DC leads, San Antonio trails

The United States national median for a aerospace engineer is $148,000 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $128,000 in San Antonio to $196,000 in Washington DC (1.5×).

Aerospace engineers design and test aircraft, spacecraft, and propulsion systems. Common screening skills include Aerodynamics, CAD, Materials, and Testing.

A modeled national band runs about $100,000–$206,600 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +6% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Washington DC sits +32% vs the national median; San Antonio sits -14%. Relocating inside United States for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. A aerospace engineer raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby engineering titles on this site include Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, and Chemical Engineer.

How to use Aerospace Engineer pay data in United States

Start with the national median ($148,000), then pick the metro where you would actually work. Observed city rows below are stronger than a pay-index guess. If your city is missing, stay on this page for the country figure and check the United States hub for other careers.

Convert gross through the salary calculator before comparing two cities — tax and rent often reorder a cash ranking. Figures are estimates for research, not employer bands.

National band vs top metro

National sketch: $100,000 (10th) → $148,000 (median) → $206,600 (90th). Washington DC’s observed median is $196,000, with a local band about $134,000–$289,000. If an offer is “at the United States median” but the job is in Washington DC, you may still be under local market.

National median
$148,000
per year
Monthly (national)
$12,300
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$196,000
Washington DC, DC
Hourly (national)
$71.15
varies by city

Aerospace Engineer salary by city in United States

Cities below have observed metro percentiles for this role. Prefer these over national-only estimates when you are relocating to a specific market.

CityPer year
Washington DC, DC$196,000
San Diego, CA$185,000
Los Angeles, CA$163,000
Philadelphia, PA$150,000
Chicago, IL$135,000
Dallas, TX$135,000
Houston, TX$134,000
Phoenix, AZ$130,000
San Antonio, TX$128,000

Aerospace Engineer salary in other countries

Related Engineering salaries in United States

Frequently asked questions

How much does a aerospace engineer make in United States?
The national median is about $148,000 per year. Across 9 observed cities, pay ranges from about $128,000 to $196,000.
Which United States city pays aerospace engineers the most?
Washington DC, DC leads observed metros at about $196,000 per year (+32% vs national).
Which United States city pays aerospace engineers the least?
Among observed cities, San Antonio, TX is on the lower end at about $128,000 per year.
How many United States cities have aerospace engineer salary data?
9 metros list observed aerospace engineer percentiles in USD on this site.
Is aerospace engineer in demand in United States?
Occupation-level employment is projected at about +6% over ten years. Local hiring still follows American industry mix.