Aerospace Engineer Salary in California
Median annual pay in California
$157,620
$75.78/hour
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Adjusted for cost of living in California
$142,359
Regional Price Parity: 110.720 (U.S. = 100)
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Difference from the U.S. median ($134,960): +$22,660 (+16.8%)
California ranks 3rd of 41 states by median pay, and 17th of 41 after adjusting for cost of living.
Pay
| Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| 25th percentile | $129,010 | $62.03 |
| Median | $157,620 | $75.78 |
| 75th percentile | $193,060 | $92.82 |
| 90th percentile | $220,670 | $106.09 |
Employment
- Employment in California
- 9,170
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Comparison
Compared with the U.S.
- Median annual pay in California
- $157,620
- Median annual pay in the U.S.
- $134,960
- Difference
- +$22,660 (+16.8%)
Cost of living
$157,620 ÷ 110.720 × 100 = $142,359
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ranking
| Rank | Median annual pay | Adjusted for cost of living (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | ||
| 1st | $159,060 | $161,284 1st |
| Washington | ||
| 2nd | $158,370 | $147,991 7th |
| California This page | ||
| 3rd | $157,620 | $142,359 17th |
| District of Columbia | ||
| 4th | $157,600 | $143,402 15th |
| Maryland | ||
| 5th | $156,750 | $149,344 5th |
Similar occupations
Related occupations from O*NET, in O*NET's order, with their BLS median pay. Each figure shows the place it is for.
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician salary in the U.S.
$73,900/year U.S.
- Avionics Technician salary in the U.S.
$82,280/year U.S.
- Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician salary in the U.S.
$74,510/year U.S.
- Mechanical Engineer salary in California
$130,900/year California
- Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician salary in California
$86,100/year California
- Engineers, All Other salary in the U.S.
$122,930/year U.S.
Outlook
- Projected employment change, 2025–35 (U.S.)
- +8.3%
- Typical education needed for entry (U.S.)
- Bachelor's degree
BLS publishes employment projections only for the U.S. as a whole. BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
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Aerospace Engineer salary in nearby places
- Aerospace Engineer salary in Arizona
$123,170/year Arizona
- Aerospace Engineer salary in Nevada
$96,730/year Nevada
- Aerospace Engineer salary in Oregon
$124,630/year Oregon
- Aerospace Engineer salary in the U.S.
$134,960/year U.S.
Sources and update
- Wages and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
- Related occupations: O*NET® 31.0 Database, CC BY 4.0. Attributions
- Employment projections and typical education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Neighboring states: U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File, 2024.
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