Aerospace engineering is among the highest-paid engineering disciplines at the bachelor’s level, blending mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering with the demanding standards of flight-critical systems.
Aerospace Engineer Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years | Entry-level (BS degree) | $73,000-$95,000 |
| 3-7 years | Engineer II / III | $95,000-$130,000 |
| 7-12 years | Senior Aerospace Engineer | $128,000-$165,000 |
| 12+ years | Principal / Staff Engineer | $160,000-$205,000 |
| Management | Engineering Manager / Program Manager | $155,000-$220,000+ |
Salary by Sector and Employer
| Sector | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial space (SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab) | $115,000-$200,000 | Highest pay; aggressive; demanding |
| Defense prime contractors | $100,000-$170,000 | Clearance required; strong benefits |
| Government (NASA civil servant) | $85,000-$145,000 | GS scale; excellent benefits, stability |
| Boeing (commercial and defense) | $100,000-$155,000 | Large employer; wide range by program |
| Lockheed Martin | $105,000-$165,000 | Defense focus; clearance premium |
| Northrop Grumman | $105,000-$165,000 | Space systems, defense electronics |
| Raytheon / RTX | $100,000-$155,000 | Missiles, avionics, defense |
| Smaller aerospace suppliers | $85,000-$130,000 | Wide variation |
Security Clearance Premium
| Clearance Level | Salary Premium |
|---|---|
| None (commercial focus) | Baseline |
| Secret | +$10,000-$20,000 |
| Top Secret | +$20,000-$35,000 |
| TS/SCI | +$30,000-$55,000 |
| TS/SCI + Poly | +$40,000-$75,000+ |
Clearances are most valuable in the DC-Maryland-Virginia corridor, Huntsville AL (NASA/defense), and Southern California defense hub.
Aerospace Engineer Salary by State
| State | Median Salary | Primary Employers |
|---|---|---|
| California | $140,000 | SpaceX, JPL, Boeing, defense (El Segundo, Long Beach) |
| Washington | $128,000 | Boeing (Everett, Renton) |
| Texas | $128,000 | SpaceX (Hawthorne/Starbase), Boeing, Lockheed |
| Virginia / DC area | $132,000 | Government contractors, Pentagon programs |
| Alabama | $115,000 | Huntsville (NASA Marshall, Redstone Arsenal) |
| Florida | $118,000 | Kennedy Space Center, defense |
| Colorado | $120,000 | Space Force, defense contractors |
| National median | $125,000 | — |
Aerospace Specializations and Pay
| Specialization | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Propulsion engineer | $115,000-$175,000 | High demand; SpaceX premium |
| Structures / stress engineer | $105,000-$160,000 | Flight-critical; core aerospace |
| GNC (guidance, navigation, control) | $115,000-$175,000 | Software-heavy; space vehicles |
| Avionics / flight systems | $110,000-$165,000 | Electronics + flight software |
| Systems engineer (SE) | $115,000-$170,000 | Integration; requirements management |
| Mission design | $110,000-$165,000 | Orbital mechanics, trajectory design |
| Aerodynamicist | $105,000-$158,000 | CFD-heavy; wind tunnel, simulation |
| Satellite systems | $110,000-$165,000 | Growing commercial satellite industry |
Reaching $200,000+ as an Aerospace Engineer
| Path | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Senior / Staff engineer at SpaceX | Deep propulsion, GNC, or systems expertise; competitive culture |
| Program Manager at defense prime | MBA optional; technical depth + leadership |
| Senior classified program (TS/SCI + poly) | Top Secret Poly in NRO or similar programs |
| Principal engineer / technical fellow | 15-20 years deep technical depth |
| Government SES (Senior Executive Service) | Senior federal leadership track |
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