Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Aerospace engineers (SOC 17-2011) employed 67,710 people in May 2025. The median pay is $134,960 a year ($64.89 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,700 and the highest-paid 10% more than $205,890. BLS projects its employment to change by +8.3% between 2025 and 2035 (about 3,800 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: Minnesota ($159,060), Washington ($158,370), California ($157,620). Most jobs: California (9,170), Texas (6,750), Alabama (5,820).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,700 | $41.68 |
| 25th percentile | $106,110 | $51.01 |
| Median | $134,960 | $64.89 |
| Mean | $142,060 | $68.30 |
| 75th percentile | $169,690 | $81.58 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $205,890 | $98.99 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 68,700 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 74,400 |
| Change in jobs | 5,700 |
| Percent change | +8.3% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 3,800 |
| Self-employed share | 0.2% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5,820 | 6.32 | $127,540 | $78,660 | $195,190 | -5% | 10% |
| Alaska | 100 | 0.68 | $101,710 | $81,650 | $170,340 | -25% | 17% |
| Arizona | 3,110 | 2.21 | $123,170 | $88,920 | $193,990 | -9% | 16% |
| Arkansas | 180 | 0.31 | $102,040 | $72,590 | $155,680 | -24% | 12% |
| California | 9,170 | 1.16 | $157,620 | $104,370 | $220,670 | +17% | 16% |
| Colorado | 4,070 | 3.25 | $156,190 | $101,970 | $210,410 | +16% | 14% |
| Connecticut | 1,160 | 1.57 | $129,500 | $86,420 | $163,930 | -4% | 14% |
| District of Columbia | 290 | 0.96 | $157,600 | $98,200 | $196,310 | +17% | 15% |
| Florida | 3,250 | 0.75 | $129,280 | $84,210 | $177,070 | -4% | 17% |
| Georgia | 2,230 | 1.05 | $140,460 | $84,520 | $205,540 | +4% | 13% |
| Hawaii | 40 | 0.14 | $137,240 | $117,700 | $247,260 | +2% | 17% |
| Idaho | 190 | 0.50 | $95,700 | $64,870 | $139,190 | -29% | 17% |
| Illinois | 200 | 0.07 | $108,940 | $78,170 | $184,520 | -19% | 15% |
| Indiana | 440 | 0.32 | $107,400 | $82,530 | $176,860 | -20% | 12% |
| Iowa | 40 | 0.07 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | 1,730 | 2.76 | $130,330 | $80,860 | $167,400 | -3% | 10% |
| Kentucky | 290 | 0.34 | $126,130 | $100,440 | $172,340 | -7% | 9% |
| Louisiana | 90 | 0.10 | $136,970 | $110,300 | $197,930 | +1% | 9% |
| Maryland | 3,180 | 2.64 | $156,750 | $97,460 | $232,930 | +16% | 13% |
| Massachusetts | 990 | 0.63 | $149,470 | $89,750 | $217,840 | +11% | 15% |
| Minnesota | 140 | 0.11 | $159,060 | $85,330 | $194,950 | +18% | 10% |
| Mississippi | 90 | 0.19 | $109,200 | $78,640 | $171,220 | -19% | 11% |
| Missouri | 650 | 0.51 | $130,680 | $80,390 | $179,260 | -3% | 10% |
| Nebraska | 130 | 0.29 | $135,670 | $86,760 | $217,240 | +1% | 10% |
| Nevada | 270 | 0.40 | $96,730 | $77,920 | $179,050 | -28% | 21% |
| New Hampshire | 40 | 0.14 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | 3,400 | 1.82 | $126,430 | $103,230 | $163,770 | -6% | 17% |
| New Mexico | 570 | 1.51 | $132,850 | $97,350 | $195,110 | -2% | 10% |
| New York | 560 | 0.13 | $130,330 | $89,130 | $202,690 | -3% | 15% |
| North Carolina | 650 | 0.30 | $122,930 | $79,310 | $176,720 | -9% | 13% |
| Ohio | 3,710 | 1.53 | $138,440 | $82,830 | $201,670 | +3% | 9% |
| Oklahoma | 1,090 | 1.46 | $125,470 | $80,040 | $161,780 | -7% | 10% |
| Oregon | 250 | 0.30 | $124,630 | $85,070 | $179,470 | -8% | 15% |
| Pennsylvania | 990 | 0.38 | $133,940 | $89,230 | $179,820 | -1% | 11% |
| South Carolina | 650 | 0.64 | $137,030 | $81,460 | $170,150 | +2% | 11% |
| Tennessee | 610 | 0.43 | $128,510 | $79,690 | $171,560 | -5% | 12% |
| Texas | 6,750 | 1.10 | $130,270 | $82,990 | $195,190 | -3% | 14% |
| Utah | 1,010 | 1.33 | $135,840 | $85,230 | $183,810 | +1% | 14% |
| Vermont | 100 | 0.74 | $144,400 | $93,460 | $172,160 | +7% | 11% |
| Virginia | 2,540 | 1.42 | $143,210 | $95,420 | $226,950 | +6% | 14% |
| Washington | 5,760 | 3.73 | $158,370 | $112,580 | $207,710 | +17% | 14% |
| Wisconsin | 120 | 0.10 | $88,400 | $65,720 | $147,560 | -34% | 16% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 510 | $191,260 | $117,060 | $273,230 | 0.49 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 930 | $181,630 | $127,490 | $254,880 | 1.89 |
| Boulder, CO | 800 | $167,160 | $103,320 | $210,410 | 9.56 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 1,220 | $166,980 | $99,450 | $249,340 | 2.06 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 2,420 | $166,420 | $104,030 | $249,990 | 1.77 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 5,480 | $163,580 | $112,650 | $207,710 | 6.03 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 5,200 | $163,280 | $108,330 | $227,440 | 1.91 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 2,010 | $156,190 | $98,090 | $210,810 | 2.86 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 990 | $151,980 | $117,890 | $209,180 | 7.18 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 960 | $149,470 | $89,750 | $217,840 | 0.81 |
| Cleveland, OH | 460 | $143,020 | $92,520 | $193,730 | 1.03 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 800 | $139,010 | $92,930 | $193,250 | 2.40 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 960 | $138,380 | $85,940 | $195,190 | 31.18 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 340 | $137,030 | $109,760 | $170,150 | 2.00 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 800 | $135,010 | $96,650 | $209,080 | 1.20 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 3,430 | $134,570 | $96,650 | $214,150 | 1.95 |
| Ogden, UT | 550 | $134,240 | $85,230 | $164,470 | 4.67 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,890 | $133,970 | $80,850 | $195,190 | 1.32 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 1,360 | $131,570 | $90,400 | $182,000 | 12.71 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 460 | $131,210 | $81,030 | $180,780 | 0.37 |
| Huntsville, AL | 4,880 | $131,090 | $78,890 | $195,190 | 42.03 |
| Wichita, KS | 1,430 | $130,720 | $81,100 | $167,400 | 10.66 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 1,360 | $130,470 | $89,150 | $232,940 | 1.31 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 740 | $130,230 | $83,780 | $161,780 | 2.51 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | 1,400 | $129,410 | $82,460 | $182,420 | 8.60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 700 | $128,720 | $93,230 | $188,720 | 4.73 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 300 | $128,400 | $87,980 | $178,400 | 0.62 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 770 | $126,620 | $106,890 | $177,900 | 0.19 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 390 | $123,210 | $79,100 | $195,450 | 0.70 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 360 | $119,430 | $83,510 | $166,700 | 1.07 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 330 | $112,140 | $83,000 | $176,860 | 0.68 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 720 | $108,900 | $86,420 | $162,530 | 2.76 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,720 | $106,760 | $78,250 | $169,990 | 10.14 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 300 | $105,730 | $62,310 | $171,620 | 0.62 |
The median is $134,960 a year ($64.89 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $86,700 and the highest-paid tenth over $205,890 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
67,710 in May 2025, and BLS projects +8.3% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
Minnesota, with a median of $159,060 (among states with published figures).