For those with a passion for flight, space exploration, and cutting-edge technology, a career in aerospace engineering is a dream. It’s a field that pushes the boundaries of human innovation, sending rovers to Mars and making global travel faster and safer. But beyond the thrill of the work, it's also a financially rewarding career path. A common question for aspiring engineers is: "What can I expect to earn?"
The answer is encouraging. Aerospace engineering boasts one of the highest starting salaries among all engineering disciplines. While the national median salary for an aerospace engineer is well into the six-figure range, even entry-level professionals can expect to earn a starting salary typically between $70,000 and $90,000 per year, with many factors pushing that figure even higher.
This article will break down what an aerospace engineer does, the average salary you can expect, and the key factors that will influence your earning potential from your first day on the job.
What Does an Aerospace Engineer Do?
At its core, aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft and spacecraft. The profession is typically split into two main branches:
- Aeronautical Engineering: Focuses on aircraft that operate within Earth's atmosphere, such as airplanes, helicopters, and jets.
- Astronautical Engineering: Focuses on spacecraft that operate outside Earth's atmosphere, such as satellites, rockets, and space exploration vehicles.
In their day-to-day roles, aerospace engineers use principles of physics, mathematics, and materials science to solve complex problems. Their responsibilities can include anything from running aerodynamic simulations on a new wing design to developing propulsion systems for a deep-space probe or managing the structural integrity of a commercial airliner.
Average Aerospace Engineering Salary
While starting salaries are a key focus, it's important to understand the full earning potential of the career. The data from authoritative sources paints a very positive picture.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for aerospace engineers was $126,880 as of May 2022. This figure represents the midpoint—half of the engineers earned more than this, and half earned less.
Salary aggregators provide a more granular view that includes entry-level data:
- Payscale reports that an entry-level Aerospace Engineer with less than one year of experience earns an average total compensation of $76,436.
- Salary.com places the average salary for an entry-level Aerospace Engineer I in the U.S. at $83,291, with a typical range falling between $77,597 and $88,710.
- Glassdoor estimates the total pay for an entry-level aerospace engineer to be around $88,500 per year, combining an average base salary of $80,000 with additional pay like bonuses.
As you gain experience, your salary can grow substantially. A senior aerospace engineer with over 10 years of experience can easily command a salary between $150,000 and $180,000+.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your starting salary and long-term earnings are not set in stone. Several key factors can significantly impact your compensation package.
### Level of Education
Your educational attainment is a primary driver of your starting salary.
- Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.): This is the standard entry-level requirement. Graduates with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (or a related field like Mechanical Engineering) can expect to land squarely in the typical starting salary range.
- Master’s Degree (M.S.): Holding a master's degree can provide a significant advantage. It signals advanced, specialized knowledge and often qualifies you for higher-level research and development (R&D) roles. Employers often offer a higher starting salary—typically 10-15% more—to candidates with an M.S.
- Doctorate (Ph.D.): A Ph.D. is essential for highly specialized research positions, academia, and roles at the forefront of innovation. Graduates with a doctorate command the highest starting salaries, often starting well above $100,000, as they are hired to solve the most complex technical challenges.
### Years of Experience
Experience is perhaps the single most significant factor in salary growth over your career.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): This is where you'll earn your "starting salary." You'll be applying academic knowledge to real-world projects under supervision.
- Mid-Career (5-9 years): After gaining several years of experience, engineers can take on more responsibility, lead small teams, and manage projects. This is where salaries see a substantial jump, often crossing well into the six-figure range.
- Senior/Lead (10+ years): With a decade or more of experience, you become a subject matter expert. Senior engineers and project managers have the highest earning potential, with salaries often exceeding $170,000, especially in high-demand specializations or leadership roles.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters. Salaries are often adjusted to reflect the local cost of living and the concentration of aerospace companies in a region. According to the BLS, the states with the highest average salaries for aerospace engineers include:
1. California: Average Salary: $150,860
2. Maryland: Average Salary: $144,300
3. Colorado: Average Salary: $138,550
4. Washington: Average Salary: $132,650
5. Virginia: Average Salary: $131,870
Metropolitan areas with major aerospace hubs, such as Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; Huntsville, AL; and the "Space Coast" in Florida, often offer higher-than-average wages due to intense competition for talent.
### Company Type
The type of company you work for plays a crucial role in your compensation.
- Large Defense Contractors: Companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Technologies are major employers of aerospace engineers. They offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and job stability. Working on classified projects may also require a security clearance, which can further increase your value and earning potential.
- Commercial Aviation Giants: Companies like Boeing and Airbus hire thousands of engineers to design and maintain their fleets of commercial aircraft. Salaries are strong and often come with robust corporate benefits.
- "New Space" Companies: Innovative private space companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Sierra Space are transforming the industry. They often offer competitive base salaries and may include potentially lucrative stock options as part of their compensation packages to attract top talent.
- Government Agencies (NASA): While the base salary at a government agency like NASA might be slightly lower than at a top private-sector firm, the benefits, work-life balance, and prestige of the work are unparalleled.
### Area of Specialization
Within aerospace engineering, some specializations are in higher demand than others, commanding premium pay.
- Avionics and Software: Engineers who specialize in the electronic systems of an aircraft or spacecraft—including navigation, communications, and flight controls—are highly sought after. Their skills overlap with the tech industry, driving salaries up.
- Propulsion Systems: Experts in designing and testing jet engines, rocket engines, and other propulsion systems are critical to the industry and are well-compensated.
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): Engineers with advanced skills in computer modeling and simulation for aerodynamics and thermodynamics are in high demand for R&D.
- Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC): This software and systems-heavy field is vital for autonomous systems, satellites, and missiles, making it a high-paying specialization.
Job Outlook
The future for aerospace engineers is bright. The BLS projects that employment for aerospace engineers will grow by 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth is fueled by several factors, including:
- Increased investment in national defense and military aircraft modernization.
- A revitalized focus on space exploration from both government and private sectors.
- Ongoing research and development into designing more fuel-efficient aircraft and those that use alternative energy sources.
Conclusion
A career as an aerospace engineer is not only intellectually stimulating but also financially secure from the very beginning. With a strong starting salary that outpaces many other professions, you are positioned for success.
The key takeaways are clear:
- Expect a strong start: A starting salary in the $70,000 to $90,000 range is a realistic expectation for a graduate with a bachelor's degree.
- Invest in your growth: Advancing your education, gaining experience, and choosing a high-demand specialization will significantly increase your earning potential.
- Location and employer matter: Targeting aerospace hubs and high-paying companies can maximize your salary from day one.
For anyone aiming for the stars, aerospace engineering offers a robust and rewarding career trajectory, with compensation to match the ambition required to succeed in this incredible field.