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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer in California is $87,902 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Entry Level Aerospace Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $94,002 | $7,834 | $1,808 | $45 |
| Average | $87,902 | $7,325 | $1,690 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,102 | $6,759 | $1,560 | $39 |
OLogic, Inc. - Santa Clara, CA
SynergisticIT - Oakland, CA
Degenkolb Engineers - Oakland, CA
Degenkolb Engineers - Los Angeles, CA
An Entry Level Aerospace Engineer'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 Entry Level Aerospace Engineer'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Aerospace Engineer | 0-2 years | $87,864 |
| Aerospace Aviation Engineer II | 2-4 years | $105,503 |
| Aerospace Aviation Engineer III | 4-7 years | $122,144 |
| Aerospace Aviation Engineer IV | 7+ years | $154,588 |
| Aerospace Aviation Engineer V | 7-10 years | $178,492 |
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 Entry Level Aerospace Engineers. 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:
Entry Level Aerospace Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $97,618. While startup companies pay approximate $82,728.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $82,728 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $87,449 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $94,310 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $97,618 |
For Entry Level Aerospace Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Aerospace Engineer positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Aerospace Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $114,273 | $55.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $105,482 | $51.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $96,692 | $46.0 | 10% |
| MFG Durable | $92,297 | $44.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer'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 | $94,002 | $7,834 | $1,808 | $45 |
| Average | $87,902 | $7,325 | $1,690 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,102 | $6,759 | $1,560 | $39 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Entry Level Aerospace Engineer, 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 Engineer II | $105,600 | 20% |
| Airport Design Engineer | $80,801 | -8% |
| Aerospace Aviation Engineer II | $105,590 | 20% |
| Intermediate Engineer | $101,700 | 16% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Level Aerospace Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Degenkolb Engineers
Sacramento, CA
Degenkolb Engineers | Sacramento, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Background. Founded in 1940 and headquartered in San Francisco, Degenkolb Engineers has more than eight decades o... more
10 Days Ago
Certerra Southwest
Fresno, CA
Certerra Southwest | Fresno, CA
Job Description. Job Description. COMPANY OVERVIEW. Certerra is a growing national provider of testing, inspection, and certification services that support... more
6 Days Ago
Holmes US
Los Angeles, CA
Holmes US | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. 🌟 Launch Your Engineering Career at Holmes US. 🚀. Are you a recent graduate or new professional ready to make your mark... more
9 Days Ago
Structural Group
Garden Grove, CA
Structural Group | Garden Grove, CA
STRUCTURAL integrates technology-driven solutions with specialty contracting services to improve, protect, and enhance the existing infrastructure of owner... more
8 Days Ago
PACIV
Aliso Viejo, CA
PACIV | Aliso Viejo, CA
Entry Level Industrial Automation & Controls Engineer. Location. Aliso Viejo, CA. Are you passionate about industrial automation, manufacturing technology,... more
6 Days Ago
SynergisticIT
Fremont, CA
SynergisticIT | Fremont, CA
Job Opportunity At SynergisticitSynergisticIT wants every candidate to know that the job market is challenging and to stand out, you need to have exception... more
8 Days Ago
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