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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aviation Engineering Manager in California is $175,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.
However, an Aviation Engineering Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Aviation Engineering Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $184,900 | $15,408 | $3,556 | $89 |
| Average | $175,000 | $14,583 | $3,365 | $84 |
| 25th Percentile | $160,600 | $13,383 | $3,088 | $77 |
Lockheed Martin Corporation - Sunnyvale, CA
Virgin Galactic - Tustin, CA
City of Sunnyvale, CA - Sunnyvale, CA
GovernmentJobs.com - Menifee, CA
An Aviation Engineering Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Aviation Engineering Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation Engineer VI | 10-12 years | $220,019 |
| Aviation Engineering Supervisor | 12+ years | $145,386 |
| Aviation Engineering Manager | 12+ years | $174,971 |
| Aviation Engineering Senior Manager | 12+ years | $198,233 |
| Aviation Engineering Director | 12+ years | $221,560 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Aviation Engineering Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Aviation Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $194,343. While startup companies pay approximate $164,700.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $164,700 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $174,099 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $187,757 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $194,343 |
For Aviation Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Aviation Engineering Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aviation Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $262,500 | $126.0 | 50% |
| Energy & Utilities | $245,000 | $118.0 | 40% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $227,500 | $109.0 | 30% |
Understanding how an Aviation Engineering Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $184,900 | $15,408 | $3,556 | $89 |
| Average | $175,000 | $14,583 | $3,365 | $84 |
| 25th Percentile | $160,600 | $13,383 | $3,088 | $77 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Aviation Engineering Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation Engineering Senior Manager | $198,300 | 13% |
| Aerospace Aviation Engineering Senior Manager | $219,000 | 25% |
| General Engineering Senior Manager | $198,500 | 13% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Aviation Engineering Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Howmet Corporation
Fullerton, CA
Howmet Corporation | Fullerton, CA
Job InfoJob Identification113996Job CategoryEngineeringPosting Date02/17/2026, 06:18 PMLocations800 S State College, Fullerton, CA, 92831, US(On-site)Job S... more
6 Days Ago
PEAK Technical Staffing USA
Fullerton, CA
PEAK Technical Staffing USA | Fullerton, CA
Engineering ManagerThe Engineering Manager organizes, plans, and leads a skilled team of design and project engineers in the support, design, and developme... more
6 Days Ago
Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V
El Segundo, CA
Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V | El Segundo, CA
Company descriptionHi there. We're Razorfish. We've been leading the marketing industry with our digital expertise since the start of the internet. But in ... more
6 Days Ago
ALIGN PRECISION
Garden Grove, CA
ALIGN PRECISION | Garden Grove, CA
Position Summary: Manages and directs engineering department resources and activities. Technical approval responsibility for the design of current producti... more
6 Days Ago
Heico
Burbank, CA
Heico | Burbank, CA
Overview of the Position:The Engineering Manager is directly responsible to the President for the engineering, planning, and coordination of the procedures... more
6 Days Ago
Mintlify
San Francisco, CA
Mintlify | San Francisco, CA
Why Mintlify. We're on a mission to empower builders.Massive reach: Our docs platform serves 100 milliondevelopers every year and powers documentation for ... more
6 Days Ago
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