As of March 01, 2026, the average hourly pay of aerospace engineering in the United States is $52. While Salary.com is seeing that aerospace engineering salary in the US can go up to $58 or down to $45, but most earn between $49 and $55. Salary.com shows the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of aerospace engineering in the United States.
| Percentile | Hourly Pay Rate | Location | Last Updated |
| 10th Percentile aerospace engineering Salary | $45 | US | March 01, 2026 |
| 25th Percentile aerospace engineering Salary | $49 | US | March 01, 2026 |
| 50th Percentile aerospace engineering Salary | $52 | US | March 01, 2026 |
| 75th Percentile aerospace engineering Salary | $55 | US | March 01, 2026 |
| 90th Percentile aerospace engineering Salary | $58 | US | March 01, 2026 |
Aerospace engineering salaries vary based on factors such as experience, education, location, and the specific sector of employment. Entry-level aerospace engineers typically earn a starting salary ranging from $70,000 to $85,000 annually. With several years of experience, salaries can increase significantly, often reaching between $90,000 and $120,000. Senior engineers and those in managerial positions may earn upwards of $150,000 or more, particularly in high-demand areas or specialized fields like spacecraft design or defense contracting. Geographic location also plays a crucial role, with ...
See user submitted job responsibilities for aerospace engineering.
2 - 4 years experience
Bachelor's Degree
4 - 7 years experience
Bachelor's Degree
7 + years experience
Bachelor's Degree
| Job Title | Experience | EDUCATION | Salary Compared to This Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Title Aerospace Engineer I | Experience 0 - 2 | EducationBachelors | Salary Compared to This Job |
| Job Title Aerospace Engineer II | Experience 2 - 4 | EducationBachelors | Salary Compared to This Job |
| Job Title Aerospace Engineer IV | Experience 7 + | EducationBachelors | Salary Compared to This Job |
| Job Title Aerospace Engineer V | Experience 10 + | EducationMasters | Salary Compared to This Job |
| Job Title Aerospace Engineer VI | Experience 12 + | EducationMasters | Salary Compared to This Job |
Core compensation
Includes base and short-term incentives
Recently searched related titles: Engineer Aerodynamics, Aerospace Technician, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator
Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role
Jobs with a similar salary range to aerospace engineering : Space Analyst, Aerospace Assembly, Aero Technician
