How much does an aerospace engineer make?
a year · about $65 an hour
A typical aerospace engineer in the United States makes $134,960 a year, about $65 an hour, about 2.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They use computers to design aircraft or spacecraft and check whether a design follows engineering principles. They also build and test prototypes to see if they work as planned.
Did you know? NASA engineers use special paint on rocket models to make airflow and pressure visible during wind-tunnel tests.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $86,700 and $205,890How do you become one?
In the US, take math, physics, and chemistry in high school, then earn a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Entry-level jobs do not require a license; later, engineers can earn a state PE license by passing exams and gaining work experience.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can rise with experience, in-demand skills, and credentials such as a PE license; employers and industries also pay differently. Location, a specialty such as aircraft or spacecraft design, and extra hours spent solving project problems can matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($158,370), lowest in North Carolina ($122,930).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $86,700 | $134,960 | $205,890 | about 68,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $158,370 | about 6,000 |
| California | $157,620 | about 9,000 |
| Maryland | $156,750 | about 3,000 |
| Colorado | $156,190 | about 4,000 |
| Massachusetts | $149,470 | about 990 |
Official definition: Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2011.00
- www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/wind-tunnel-test-of-deep-space-rocket-calls-for-new
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY