CareerFacts

All careers › Aerospace Engineers

Aerospace engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$134,960median pay per year, or $64.89 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $86,700lowest 10% earn less
  2. $106,11025th percentile
  3. $134,960median
  4. $169,69075th percentile
  5. $205,890top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[6]

The median pay for an aerospace engineer was $134,960 a year in May 2025[1]. A bachelor's degree is the typical way in, and jobs are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations[2][3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+8.3%[3]
Openings per year
3,800[7]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[2]

How much do aerospace engineers make?

The median aerospace engineer made $134,960 a year, or $64.89 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $142,060 a year, or $68.30 an hour[8].

For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980 a year[6].

Pay varies a lot within the job. Here are the annual wage points BLS published:

Measure Annual wage Fact
10th percentile[5] $86,700
25th percentile[5] $106,110
Median[1] $134,960
75th percentile[5] $169,690
90th percentile[5] $205,890

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $86,700, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $205,890[5]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $41.68 and the 90th was $98.98[10].

These figures cover about 67,710 workers paid a wage or salary[11]. They leave out self-employed workers, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[12].

Pay by state and city

Among the 40 states and DC with published data, Minnesota had the highest median at $159,060, followed by Washington at $158,370 and California at $157,620[13]. Minnesota's figure rests on only 140 jobs[13]. The District of Columbia, Maryland and Colorado came next, at $157,600, $156,750 and $156,190[13]. Wisconsin had the lowest listed median, $88,400[13].

The most jobs were in California (9,170), Texas (6,750), Alabama (5,820), Washington (5,760) and Colorado (4,070)[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median at $191,260, followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $181,630 and Boulder, CO at $167,160[15]. The metro areas with the most jobs were Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (5,480 jobs, median $163,580) and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (5,200 jobs, median $163,280)[16]. Huntsville, AL ranked third for jobs at 4,880, with a median of $131,090[16].

Show median pay in 40 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Minnesota[13]$159,060140
Washington$158,3705,760
California$157,6209,170
District of Columbia$157,600290
Maryland$156,7503,180
Colorado$156,1904,070
Massachusetts$149,470990
Vermont$144,400100
Virginia$143,2102,540
Georgia$140,4602,230
Ohio$138,4403,710
Hawaii$137,24040
South Carolina$137,030650
Louisiana$136,97090
Utah$135,8401,010
Nebraska$135,670130
Pennsylvania$133,940990
New Mexico$132,850570
Missouri$130,680650
Kansas$130,3301,730
New York$130,330560
Texas$130,2706,750
Connecticut$129,5001,160
Florida$129,2803,250
Michigan$128,960n/a
Tennessee$128,510610
Alabama$127,5405,820
New Jersey$126,4303,400
Kentucky$126,130290
Oklahoma$125,4701,090
Oregon$124,630250
Arizona$123,1703,110
North Carolina$122,930650
Mississippi$109,20090
Illinois$108,940200
Indiana$107,400440
Arkansas$102,040180
Alaska$101,710100
Nevada$96,730270
Idaho$95,700190
Wisconsin$88,400120

How to become an aerospace engineer

Degree programs usually include classroom, lab and field courses in topics such as stability and control, structures and mechanics[20]. Some colleges offer a 5-year program that ends in both a bachelor's and a master's degree[21]. A graduate degree may open the way to teaching at a university or to research and development work[21]. Employers may prefer graduates of programs accredited by a professional association[22].

Licenses. A license is not required for entry-level positions[23]. Experienced engineers may earn a Professional Engineering (PE) license, which lets them oversee other engineers, sign off on projects and serve the public directly[23]. State licensure generally calls for an accredited engineering degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work, and then passing the PE exam[24]. Each state issues its own license, and some states require continuing education to keep it[25].

Moving up. With experience or more education, engineers may move into technical or supervisory roles, and those with leadership skills may become engineering managers or project management specialists[26].

What aerospace engineers do

O*NET describes the work as engineering for aircraft, missiles and spacecraft, covering design, construction and testing[27]. Some engineers also do research on materials and equipment[27]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as flight test engineer, avionics engineer, aerospace stress engineer and flight controls engineer[29]. OOH names analytical skills and business knowledge, including commercial law, among the useful qualities[30][31].

Where they work

Aerospace engineers typically work in an office and often use a computer[32]. Some travel to meet with clients[32]. Full-time work is typical, and some engineers put in more than 40 hours a week, for example to monitor progress or fix problems[33].

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing was the largest employer, with 38% of aerospace engineers in 2025[34]. Only 0.2% were self-employed in 2025[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of aerospace engineers to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 68,700 to 74,400 jobs[3]. That is a gain of about 5,700 jobs[3]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5% over the same years[4].

BLS also projects about 3,800 openings a year, on average[7]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[7]. Each year, about 1.7% of aerospace engineers leave the labor force and 2.8% move to a different occupation[36].

The projection counts include self-employed workers[3]. The OEWS count of about 67,710 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only, so the two numbers measure different things[11][3].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with pay well above the all-occupation median[1][6] and growth above the all-occupation rate[3][4]. Entry usually takes a bachelor's degree, with no related work experience expected[2]. People who like analysis, testing and technical writing will find those tasks in the job[28][30]. Defense-related projects may bring clearance rules, including citizenship rules for some clearances[17]. Jobs are concentrated in certain states and metro areas, so location can matter[14][16]. These facts do not cover tuition costs or how long a degree takes at a given school.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an aerospace engineer make an hour?
The median was $64.89 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $68.30[1][8]. The 10th percentile was $41.68 an hour and the 90th was $98.98[10].
What degree do you need to be an aerospace engineer?
The typical entry requirement is a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field[17][2].
Do aerospace engineers need a license?
Not for entry-level positions[23]. Experienced engineers may earn a Professional Engineering license, which generally requires an accredited degree, the FE exam, several years of work experience and the PE exam[23][24].
Are aerospace engineers in demand?
BLS projects 8.3% job growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 3,800 openings a year[3][4][7].
What is the highest paying state for aerospace engineers?
Minnesota had the highest median at $159,060, based on 140 jobs[13]. Washington ($158,370) and California ($157,620) followed[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Aerospace Engineers in the US was $134,960 per year and $64.89 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Aerospace Engineers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Aerospace Engineers is projected to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 68,700 to 74,400 jobs (a change of +5,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Aerospace Engineers: 10th percentile $86,700, 25th percentile $106,110, 75th percentile $169,690, 90th percentile $205,890. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,800 openings for Aerospace Engineers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Aerospace Engineers was $142,060 per year and $68.30 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Aerospace Engineers: 10th percentile $41.68, 25th percentile $51.02, 75th percentile $81.58, 90th percentile $98.98. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 67,710 people were employed as Aerospace Engineers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Aerospace Engineers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Aerospace Engineers jobs: California 9,170; Texas 6,750; Alabama 5,820; Washington 5,760; Colorado 4,070. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Aerospace Engineers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $191,260; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $181,630; Boulder, CO $167,160; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $166,980; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $166,420; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $163,580; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $163,280; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $159,950. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Aerospace Engineers jobs: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 5,480 (median $163,580); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 5,200 (median $163,280); Huntsville, AL 4,880 (median $131,090); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,430 (median $134,570); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 2,420 (median $166,420); Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 2,010 (median $156,190). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Aerospace Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Aerospace Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 17-2011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Aeronautical Engineer, Aerospace Stress Engineer, Avionics Engineer, Design Engineer, Flight Controls Engineer, Flight Systems Test Engineer, Flight Test Engineer, Special Mission Engineer. O*NET OnLine
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of aerospace engineers in 2025: Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 38%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: 0.2% of Aerospace Engineers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Aerospace Engineers: 1.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.