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Aeronautical Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Aeronautical Engineering Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aeronautical Engineering Director in the United States is $200,869 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $97.

However, an Aeronautical Engineering Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $228,502
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $189,531 to $215,333
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $179,208
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Key Factors That Influence Aeronautical Engineering Director Salaries

An Aeronautical Engineering Director'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.

How Experience Level Affects Aeronautical Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aeronautical Engineering Director'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:

  • Aeronautical Engineer VI (10-12 years): $199,461
  • Aeronautical Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $131,807
  • Aeronautical Engineering Manager (12+ years): $158,631
  • Aeronautical Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $179,714
  • Aeronautical Engineering Director (12+ years): $200,869
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Aeronautical Engineer VI10-12 years$199,461
Aeronautical Engineering Supervisor12+ years$131,807
Aeronautical Engineering Manager12+ years$158,631
Aeronautical Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$179,714
Aeronautical Engineering Director12+ years$200,869
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How Do Aeronautical Engineering Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Aeronautical Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $222,402.
  • California: $221,559.
  • Massachusetts: $218,606.

Top Paying Cities for Aeronautical Engineering Directors

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:

  • San Jose: $253,356
  • San Francisco: $250,582
  • Oakland: $245,301

Aeronautical Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Aeronautical Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $222,683. While startup companies pay approximate $188,706.

Aeronautical Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $188,706
Growth Stage 51~500 $199,469
Established 501~5000 $215,128
Enterprise 5000+ $222,683

Aeronautical Engineering Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aeronautical Engineering Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 140% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Aeronautical Engineering Director positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aeronautical Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Aeronautical Engineering Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$321,390$155.060%
Energy & Utilities$261,130$126.030%
Aerospace & Defense$241,043$116.020%
MFG Durable$210,912$101.05%

Aeronautical Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Aeronautical Engineering Director'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$189,531
Average $200,869/year
$215,333
$15,794
Average $16,739/month
$17,944
$3,645
Average $3,863/week
$4,141
$91
Average $97/hour
$104
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $215,333 $17,944 $4,141 $104
Average $200,869 $16,739 $3,863 $97
25th Percentile $189,531 $15,794 $3,645 $91

Aeronautical Engineering Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Aeronautical Engineering Director

Next Role

Advancement

For an Aeronautical Engineering Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Engineering role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $235,482 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Aeronautical Engineering Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Aeronautical Engineering Director

Here are companies hiring for Aeronautical Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Aeronautical Engineering Director

1. Where can an Aeronautical Engineering Director earn the most?

An Aeronautical Engineering Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Aeronautical Engineering Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Aeronautical Engineering Director is $253,356.

2. What is the highest pay for Aeronautical Engineering Director?

The highest pay for Aeronautical Engineering Director is $228,502.

3. What is the lowest pay for Aeronautical Engineering Director?

The lowest pay for Aeronautical Engineering Director is $179,208.

4. What are the responsibilities of Aeronautical Engineering Director?

Directs the design of aircraft and helicopter parts and propulsion systems to optimize aerodynamic performance and promote safe, efficient, and reliable operation. Develops organizational policies and procedures to optimize workflow and ensure compliance with all federal regulations. Facilitates innovation by remaining up to date on technology advancements for application on design improvements of aeronautical products. Manages supply vendors to ensure favorable pricing and budget adherence and participates in final negotiations and contracting. Monitors lead times to ensure timely completion of projects. Leads the evaluation and analysis of new or existing suppliers, products and materials, or technologies. Typically requires a master's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Aeronautical Engineering Director?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Aeronautical Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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