The national average salary for aerospace engineers in the United States is $112,000, with an estimated range of $77,000 to $150,000. These figures are based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2017.

Aerospace engineers are employed by a wide range of industries. Aerospace engineers working in the defense industry earned an average salary of $111,520 per year as of 2017; those working in the aeronautical research and development industry averaged $126,870 per year. Those working in various other industries also took home a healthy paycheck: aerospace engineers working for scientific research and development services earned an average annual wage of $110,540; those employed by manufacturing companies averaged $111,050; those working for utilities averaged $114,370; those who worked for architectural and engineering services earned an average salary of $111,250; and those who worked for management consulting services averaged $112,940.

The highest paying states for aerospace engineers include California ($104,400), Washington ($103,350), Texas ($102,490), New Jersey ($101,820), Pennsylvania ($101,750) and Illinois ($101,630).

Aerospace Engineers Salary In Usa

Aerospace Engineers manufacture and design aircraft, satellites, missiles, aeronautical and astronautical products and technologies for development, research, defense, and commercial use. They document and evaluate the production of aircraft and aircraft technologies, including commercial and military airplanes, propulsion systems, navigation systems, instrumentation, communication, and thermodynamic and aerodynamic materials used in flight. Aerospace Engineers use highly complex computer systems and software to model, design, evaluate, and simulate parts, products, and vehicles in order to determine if proposals are financially feasible and whether designs will meet regulatory and safety standards. They confer with each other on large-scale projects that require group input, completing a multitude of tasks on a single project through the shared duties of many engineers.

Spacecraft engineering is the research, development, design, and manufacture of vessels that travel within the outermost layers of atmospheric Earth, and beyond to outer space. Spacecraft engineering depends on an entirely different set of design and programming practices than aeronautical aircraft due to the enormous spectrum of changes in space physics and energy propulsion inside and outside Earth’s atmosphere.

High Paying Aerospace Engineer Jobs

• Thermodynamics EngineerSalary range: $107,000-$225,500 per yearA thermodynamics engineer is a type of aerospace engineer whose duties involve constructing, designing, and testing missiles, aircraft, and spacecraft. As a thermodynamics engineer, you research materials and use computer simulations to test equipment. Problem-solving, computer, and creativity skills are vital for this career. Qualifications begin with a bachelor’s degree which qualifies you to pursue graduate-level mechanical engineering or certificate programs. Earning a master’s degree can pave the way to job advancement in this field. Employers typically prefer five years of relevant job experience. Some companies may require you to have certain clearance levels.
• Weight EngineerSalary range: $82,000-$160,500 per yearThe majority of Weight Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $82,000 (25th percentile) and $160,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Weight Engineer job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
• Aeronautical EngineerSalary range: $84,000-$153,500 per yearAn aeronautical engineer works with aircraft and their propulsion systems. As an aeronautical engineer, your job is to design, develop, and implement new procedures and technologies for the creation and maintenance of aircraft components. Specific duties involve testing new designs and materials, assessing parts that were damaged or malfunctioned during flight, and collaborating with designers, pilots, and other engineers. You play an essential role in the aircraft manufacturing process. Aeronautical engineer positions are typically available with aircraft and aerospace manufacturers, government agencies, defense contractors, and aerospace engineering firms.
• Propulsion Systems EngineerSalary range: $93,500-$150,500 per yearThe majority of Propulsion Systems Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $93,500 (25th percentile) and $150,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Propulsion Systems Engineer job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
• Flight Test EngineerSalary range: $104,000-$148,000 per yearAs a flight test engineer, your job is to oversee testing the operations and performance of aircraft in line with FAA regulations and guidelines from the manufacturer. This job frequently involves planning, managing, coordinating, and executing a full spectrum of aircraft testing, including tests on all mechanical and electronic systems. Some details of this job vary based on the kinds of aircraft with which you work. Flight test engineers may work with everything from single-engine civilian aircraft to large, military planes. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a flight test engineer often requires meeting the qualifications for a security clearance, studying guides and technical manuals, contacting part manufacturers, and excellent communication skills.
• Aerospace Stress EngineerSalary range: $81,000-$145,500 per yearThe job duties of an aerospace stress engineer include working to test and analyze exterior aircraft structures and airplane systems. Your responsibilities in this career include performing stress tests and working to model flight conditions to assess materials and structural designs for stability, performance, and ability to meet safety standards. You work with an aerospace engineering team to modify configurations to improve performance, safety, and efficiency. You then present the results of your tests and simulations to lead engineers or other management-level employees.
• Spacecraft Systems EngineerSalary range: $103,000-$138,500 per yearThe majority of Spacecraft Systems Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $103,000 (25th percentile) and $138,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Spacecraft Systems Engineer job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
• Aerodynamics EngineerSalary range: $86,000-$129,500 per yearTo achieve flight, heavier-than-air objects like planes or rockets must conform to certain principles of aerodynamics. Aerodynamics is the study of the motion of air and its interaction with solid objects. An aerodynamics engineer tests aerospace designs, such as aircraft bodies and propulsion systems to ensure they meet all aerodynamic specifications and conform to the physical laws of aerodynamics. Your duties and responsibilities include designing mathematical models and simulations to test designs before firms construct prototypes or full products. You also work to improve the efficiency of existing designs.
• Aircraft EngineerSalary range: $58,500-$128,500 per yearAn aircraft engineer designs new airplanes or oversees the production of existing aircraft designs. As an aircraft engineer, your duties revolve around using physical, mathematical, and engineering principles to address flight problems and how to improve aircraft design. You work to increase fuel efficiency, speed, and safety features of a plane, as well as create comfortable interior features. You often work as part of a large team, overseeing the design, budgeting, and production of new aircraft. Some aircraft engineers work at airports, managing the daily maintenance and safety checks of planes.
• Propulsion EngineerSalary range: $91,000-$126,000 per yearA propulsion engineer helps build propulsion systems for aircraft, spacecraft, or missiles. Their job duties include designing, building, and testing propulsion systems. They may also develop assessment tools to determine if equipment will work in practice. A propulsion engineer often works on a large team along with other aerospace and mechanical engineers.
• Aviation EngineerSalary range: $67,500-$124,500 per yearAs an aviation engineer, your responsibilities involve the design, development, testing, and maintenance of aircraft. You may work on flight systems, mechanical elements within the plane, airspace navigation systems, wing or body materials, or other aspects of airplanes or aviation. Your duties include testing the designs or developments that you create and making adjustments or corrections before assembly of the aircraft.
• Aircraft Design EngineerSalary range: $83,500-$118,500 per yearThe majority of Aircraft Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $83,500 (25th percentile) and $118,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Aircraft Design Engineer job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
• Aircraft Structural Design EngineerSalary range: $66,000-$117,500 per yearThe majority of Aircraft Structural Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $66,000 (25th percentile) and $117,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Aircraft Structural Design Engineer job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
• Airframe Design EngineerSalary range: $79,500-$114,500 per yearThe majority of Airframe Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $79,500 (25th percentile) and $114,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Airframe Design Engineer job market in the United States is moderately active, with several companies hiring.
• Helicopter EngineerSalary range: $46,500-$106,000 per yearThe majority of Helicopter Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $46,500 (25th percentile) and $106,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Helicopter Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.
• Flight EngineerSalary range: $60,500-$104,000 per yearAs a flight engineer, it is your job to monitor an airplane’s instrument systems during flight. Your main duties are to regulate cabin pressure, communicate with dispatchers, oversee fuel use, and assist the pilot. The career requires aviation experience as well as a flight engineer (FE) license from the Federal Aviation Administration. Most commercial airlines require additional qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree in aviation. You must receive regular training throughout your career to keep your license.
• Flight Operations SpecialistSalary range: $42,500-$64,000 per yearThe majority of Flight Operations Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $42,500 (25th percentile) and $64,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Flight Operations Specialist job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.
• AerodynamicistSalary range: $31,000-$62,500 per yearThe majority of Aerodynamicist salaries across the United States currently range between $31,000 (25th percentile) and $62,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Aerodynamicist job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.