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Create CVIf you’re searching “aerospace engineer salary US” or wondering how much an aerospace engineer makes in the United States, the answer depends heavily on experience level, security clearance, specialization (defense vs commercial), and employer type.
Aerospace engineering is one of the most technically demanding and strategically important engineering fields, and compensation reflects that especially at senior levels and in defense or space-focused organizations.
This guide breaks down:
Average aerospace engineer salary in the US
Salary by experience level
Total compensation (base + bonus + equity where applicable)
Salary differences by industry (defense, NASA contractors, private space companies)
How to increase your salary as an aerospace engineer
In the United States, aerospace engineers earn:
Entry-level aerospace engineer: $70,000 – $95,000
Mid-level aerospace engineer: $95,000 – $125,000
Senior aerospace engineer: $120,000 – $160,000
Principal / Lead engineer: $150,000 – $200,000
Director / Chief engineer: $180,000 – $300,000+
Average base salary: ~$110,000 – $130,000
Unlike software engineering, aerospace compensation is more base-heavy, but still includes bonuses and sometimes equity in private companies.
Entry-level total comp: $75,000 – $105,000
Mid-level total comp: $100,000 – $140,000
Senior total comp: $130,000 – $180,000
Principal total comp: $160,000 – $220,000
Top 10% aerospace engineers: $200,000 – $350,000+
Entry-level: $5,800 – $8,000/month
Mid-level: $8,000 – $10,500/month
Senior: $10,000 – $13,500/month
Principal: $12,500 – $18,000+/month
Median salary: ~$120,000
Base salary: $70,000 – $90,000
Bonus: $3,000 – $10,000
Total comp: $75,000 – $100,000
At this stage:
You support design, testing, and analysis
Work under senior engineers
Limited ownership of systems
Why salaries start strong:
Aerospace requires highly specialized education (often advanced degrees).
Base salary: $95,000 – $120,000
Bonus: $10,000 – $20,000
Total comp: $105,000 – $140,000
At this level:
You own subsystems (propulsion, avionics, structures)
Contribute to major program milestones
Begin leading smaller projects
Base salary: $120,000 – $155,000
Bonus: $15,000 – $30,000
Total comp: $135,000 – $180,000
At this level:
You design critical systems
Lead engineering decisions
Work directly with program managers
Key compensation driver:
Your work directly impacts mission success and safety.
Base salary: $150,000 – $200,000
Bonus: $25,000 – $60,000
Total comp: $175,000 – $240,000+
At this level:
You architect entire systems
Influence company-wide engineering strategy
Mentor engineering teams
Specialization significantly affects compensation.
Why higher:
Critical to performance and safety
High technical complexity
Focus:
Focus:
Why highest:
Growing private space industry
High demand, limited talent
Total comp: $110,000 – $180,000
Strong benefits and stability
Why:
Government contracts provide consistent funding
Security clearance increases salary
Total comp: $120,000 – $220,000+
Includes equity
Trade-off:
Higher workload
Faster career growth
Total comp: $90,000 – $160,000
Based on GS pay scale
Pros:
Stability
Mission-driven work
Cons:
Top-paying locations:
California (LA, Bay Area): +15–25%
Washington State (Seattle): +10–20%
Texas (Houston, Dallas): competitive with lower cost of living
Alabama / Florida (defense hubs): slightly lower base, strong benefits
One of the biggest salary multipliers:
Secret clearance: +5–10%
Top Secret clearance: +10–25%
Why:
Reduces hiring friction
Expensive and time-consuming for employers
Engineers working on:
Missile systems
Space missions
Defense infrastructure
…earn more due to risk and importance.
Specialists in:
CFD (computational fluid dynamics)
AI in aerospace systems
Advanced materials
…command higher salaries.
Government → lower ceiling
Defense contractors → stable mid-high pay
Private space → highest upside
Work on:
Classified defense systems
Space exploration programs
Next-gen aircraft
These roles receive higher budget allocations.
This alone can increase salary by $10,000 – $30,000+ annually.
High-paying skills:
Simulation and modeling
Flight control systems
Autonomous systems
IC (Individual Contributor) ceiling:
Leadership path:
Weak Example:
“I’m looking for $120K because that’s market average.”
Good Example:
“Given my experience leading propulsion optimization on defense programs and reducing fuel inefficiency by 15%, I’m targeting $145K base with performance incentives aligned to program milestones.”
Staying too long in government roles
Not obtaining security clearance
Remaining generalists instead of specialists
Not switching companies (raises are often capped internally)
Trends:
Space industry growth will drive higher salaries
Defense spending increases will boost demand
AI integration in aerospace will create premium roles
Senior engineers will see upward pressure on compensation
Aerospace engineer salary in the US is driven by:
Experience level
Specialization
Security clearance
Industry (defense vs private space)
While base salaries are strong, the biggest earning opportunities come from:
Working on high-impact programs
Specializing in scarce technical areas
Moving into senior or leadership roles
For engineers who position themselves strategically, aerospace can deliver $150K – $250K+ careers with long-term stability and mission-critical impact.
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