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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Space Engineer in Iowa is $75,598 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Space Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Space Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $80,834 | $6,736 | $1,555 | $39 |
| Average | $75,598 | $6,300 | $1,454 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,218 | $5,768 | $1,331 | $33 |
L3Harris Technologies - WILMINGTON, MA
L3Harris Technologies - CARLISLE, MA
L3Harris Technologies - GEORGETOWN, MA
L3Harris Technologies - WILMINGTON, MA
A Space 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 a Space 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Space Eng... Level Space Engineer | $76,927 |
| Aerospace... Level Space Engineer | $92,371 |
| Aerospace... Level Space Engineer | $106,941 |
| Aerospace... Level Space Engineer | $135,346 |
| Aerospace... Level Space Engineer | $156,275 |
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 Space 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:
For Space 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, Space Engineer positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Space Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $98,278 | $47.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $90,718 | $44.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $83,158 | $40.0 | 10% |
| MFG Durable | $79,378 | $38.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Space 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 | $80,834 | $6,736 | $1,555 | $39 |
| Average | $75,598 | $6,300 | $1,454 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,218 | $5,768 | $1,331 | $33 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Space Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
L3Harris Technologies
HAMPSTEAD, NH
L3Harris Technologies | HAMPSTEAD, NH
L3Harris Technologies has an immediate opening for a Systems Engineer in Wilmington, MA. The ideal candidate for this position will be proficient in all as... more
8 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies
DOVER, MA
L3Harris Technologies | DOVER, MA
L3Harris Technologies has an immediate opening for a Systems Engineer in Wilmington, MA. The ideal candidate for this position will be proficient in all as... more
8 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies
WILMINGTON, MA
L3Harris Technologies | WILMINGTON, MA
L3Harris Space and Mission Systems is seeking a Lead Embedded Software Engineer for our Wilmington, MA location to join a team of experts developing Embedd... more
8 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies
WILMINGTON, MA
L3Harris Technologies | WILMINGTON, MA
This role leads a Software Integrated Product Team (IPT) within the Space & Mission Systems Segment of L3Harris for our Wilmington MA location. The team de... more
8 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies
WINCHESTER, MA
L3Harris Technologies | WINCHESTER, MA
L3Harris Technologies has an immediate opening for a Senior Specialist, Systems Engineer on 2nd shift in Wilmington, MA. The ideal candidate for this posit... more
8 Days Ago
Vantor
WESTMINSTER, CO
Vantor | WESTMINSTER, CO
Vantor is seeking a Technical Program Manager, Space Systems to lead complex software and data initiatives supporting space-focused clients. You will own p... more
7 Days Ago
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