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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aerospace Systems Engineer in Virginia is $110,224 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.
However, an Aerospace Systems Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Aerospace Systems Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $117,259 | $9,772 | $2,255 | $56 |
| Average | $110,224 | $9,185 | $2,120 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,000 | $8,583 | $1,981 | $50 |
Ardent Principles, Inc. - McLean, VA
Trident Systems LLC - Fairfax, VA
J5 Consulting - Reston, VA
Reinventing Geospatial, Inc. (RGi) - Chantilly, VA
An Aerospace Systems 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 Aerospace Systems 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 |
|---|---|
| Aerospace... Level Aerospace Systems Engineer | $78,917 |
| Aerospace... Level Aerospace Systems Engineer | $94,760 |
| Aerospace... Level Aerospace Systems Engineer | $109,707 |
| Aerospace... Level Aerospace Systems Engineer | $138,847 |
| Aerospace... Level Aerospace Systems Engineer | $160,317 |
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 Aerospace Systems 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 Aerospace Systems Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Aerospace Systems Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aerospace Systems Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $148,803 | $72.0 | 35% |
| Energy & Utilities | $137,780 | $66.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $126,758 | $61.0 | 15% |
| MFG Durable | $115,735 | $56.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an Aerospace Systems 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 | $117,259 | $9,772 | $2,255 | $56 |
| Average | $110,224 | $9,185 | $2,120 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,000 | $8,583 | $1,981 | $50 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Aerospace Systems Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Unissant
Ashburn, VA
Unissant | Ashburn, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Unissant, Inc. delivers innovative capabilities to the agencies that keep our nation healthy and safe. We apply our domai... more
6 Days Ago
Redhorse Corporation
Chantilly, VA
Redhorse Corporation | Chantilly, VA
Job Description. Job Description. About the Organization. Now is a great time to join Redhorse Corporation. We are a solution-driven company delivering dat... more
6 Days Ago
Northstrat
Sterling, VA
Northstrat | Sterling, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Northstrat is seeking an experienced and driven Systems Engineer to join our dynamic integration team. The Systems Engine... more
6 Days Ago
M2 Solutions
Herndon, VA
M2 Solutions | Herndon, VA
Job Description. Job Description. M2 Solutions is seeking a Systems Engineer in Herndon, VA. Required: TS/SCI with Polygraph. Tasks. Lead end-to-end system... more
7 Days Ago
J5 Consulting
Herndon, VA
J5 Consulting | Herndon, VA
Job Description. Job Description. J5 Consulting is a Maryland based company established in 2006 to provide computing and consulting services for government... more
7 Days Ago
Altagrove LLC
Leesburg, VA
Altagrove LLC | Leesburg, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Who we are. Altagrove delivers smart and innovative technology solutions that create competitive advantages for our custo... more
7 Days Ago
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