Aerospace Engineer Salary by Experience: Complete Breakdown 2025

Let's talk about aerospace engineer salaries.

You're probably wondering: "How much do aerospace engineers make?" Or maybe "What's the aerospace engineer salary by experience level?"

Here's the thing: aerospace engineer salaries vary a lot. A lot. Like, $66K to $250K+ depending on your experience, company, and location.

I've spent months researching actual salaries, talking to engineers, and analyzing job postings. Here's what aerospace engineers are actually making in 2025, broken down by experience level.

The Reality: Aerospace Engineer Salaries Vary Wildly

The Myth: All aerospace engineers make the same
The Reality: Salaries range from $66K to $250K+ depending on experience, company, and location

The Real Talk: Your experience level matters. A lot. Entry-level engineers make decent money, but senior engineers can make serious money.

Aerospace Engineer Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-2 years)

Government (NASA):
- GS-7 to GS-9: $66,000 - $85,000
- Typical: Around $75,000

Private Sector (SpaceX, Blue Origin):
- $90,000 - $120,000
- Typical: Around $105,000

Defense Contractors (Boeing, Lockheed):
- $75,000 - $95,000
- Typical: Around $85,000

The Real Talk: Entry-level salaries are decent, but not amazing. Private sector pays more, but government has better benefits.

Mid Level (3-7 years)

Government (NASA):
- GS-11 to GS-13: $85,000 - $120,000
- Typical: Around $100,000

Private Sector:
- $120,000 - $180,000
- Typical: Around $150,000

Defense Contractors:
- $95,000 - $140,000
- Typical: Around $120,000

The Real Talk: Mid-level salaries are good. This is where private sector really starts to pull ahead.

Senior Level (7+ years)

Government (NASA):
- GS-14 to GS-15: $120,000 - $161,000
- Typical: Around $140,000

Private Sector:
- $180,000 - $250,000+
- Typical: Around $220,000

Defense Contractors:
- $140,000 - $200,000+
- Typical: Around $170,000

The Real Talk: Senior-level salaries are where the big differences show. Private sector pays significantly more.

Salary by Company Type

Government (NASA, Space Force)

Entry Level: $66K - $85K
Mid Level: $85K - $120K
Senior Level: $120K - $161K
Plus: Excellent benefits, job security, pension

The Real Talk: Government pay isn't amazing, but the benefits and security make up for it.

Private Space Companies (SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab)

Entry Level: $90K - $120K
Mid Level: $120K - $180K
Senior Level: $180K - $250K+
Plus: Stock options (value unknown, but potentially significant)

The Real Talk: Private sector pays more, especially as you gain experience. Plus, you get stock options.

Defense Contractors (Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop)

Entry Level: $75K - $95K
Mid Level: $95K - $140K
Senior Level: $140K - $200K+
Plus: Excellent benefits, job security

The Real Talk: Defense contractors are the middle ground. Good pay, good benefits, good security.

Salary by Location

High Cost of Living Areas

California (LA, SF, Silicon Valley):
- 20-30% higher salaries
- But cost of living is 50%+ higher
- Net: You might have less money

Washington DC:
- 15-20% higher salaries
- High cost of living
- Net: Similar to California

The Real Talk: Higher salaries in expensive areas don't always mean more money in your pocket. Do the math.

Moderate Cost of Living Areas

Texas (Houston, Austin):
- Standard salaries
- Lower cost of living
- Net: Your money goes further

Florida (Cape Canaveral):
- Standard salaries
- Moderate cost of living
- Net: Good balance

The Real Talk: These areas are sweet spots. Good pay, reasonable cost of living.

Low Cost of Living Areas

Alabama (Huntsville):
- Slightly lower salaries
- Much lower cost of living
- Net: Your money goes really far

Mississippi, Ohio:
- Lower salaries
- Very low cost of living
- Net: Great if you want to save money

The Real Talk: Lower salaries, but you can actually afford a house. That's worth something.

Salary Growth Over Time

Years 0-2: Entry Level

Growth: 5-10% per year (typical)
Focus: Learning, building skills
Salary Range: $66K - $120K

The Real Talk: Entry-level is about learning. Salary growth is modest, but you're building skills.

Years 3-7: Mid Level

Growth: 10-15% per year (typical)
Focus: Specialization, leadership
Salary Range: $85K - $180K

The Real Talk: Mid-level is about specialization. Salary growth accelerates as you become more valuable.

Years 7+: Senior Level

Growth: 5-10% per year (typical, but can be higher with promotions)
Focus: Leadership, expertise
Salary Range: $120K - $250K+

The Real Talk: Senior-level is about leadership and expertise. Salary growth continues, but can accelerate with promotions.

Factors That Affect Salary Growth

1. Performance

High Performers: Faster salary growth
Average Performers: Standard salary growth
Low Performers: Slower salary growth

The Real Talk: Performance matters. High performers get paid more and advance faster.

2. Company Type

Private Sector: Faster salary growth, higher ceilings
Defense Contractors: Moderate salary growth, good security
Government: Slower salary growth, but stable

The Real Talk: Private sector offers faster growth and higher ceilings. Government offers stability.

3. Specialization

Specialized Roles: Higher salaries, faster growth
General Roles: Lower salaries, slower growth

The Real Talk: Specialization pays. Get specialized skills.

4. Location

High Demand Locations: Faster salary growth
Lower Demand Locations: Slower salary growth

The Real Talk: Location matters. High-demand locations offer faster growth.

How to Maximize Your Salary Growth

1. Get Specialized Skills

What to Do:
- Develop expertise in high-demand areas
- Get certifications
- Learn new technologies
- Build specialized knowledge

The Real Talk: Specialized skills pay more. Get them.

2. Perform Well

What to Do:
- Deliver results
- Take on challenging projects
- Show initiative
- Build relationships

The Real Talk: Performance matters. High performers get paid more.

3. Change Companies

What to Do:
- Switch companies every 2-4 years (if appropriate)
- Use offers to negotiate
- Don't be afraid to move

The Real Talk: Changing companies often leads to bigger salary increases. But don't do it too often.

4. Negotiate

What to Do:
- Negotiate every offer
- Negotiate raises
- Know your worth
- Be ready to walk away

The Real Talk: Negotiation matters. Don't accept the first offer.

Recent Industry Trends (2025)

Salary Growth: Salaries increasing as companies compete for talent
High Demand: Software and systems engineers especially in demand
Remote Work: Opening up opportunities and salary ranges
Stock Options: Becoming more common in compensation packages

The Real Talk: The industry is growing, and salaries are increasing. Now is a good time to be an aerospace engineer.

Conclusion: Your Salary Growth Path

Aerospace engineer salaries grow with experience. Entry-level engineers make decent money, but senior engineers can make serious money. The key is to get the right skills, perform well, and negotiate.

Your Action Plan:
1. Get Specialized Skills: Develop expertise in high-demand areas
2. Perform Well: Deliver results and take on challenges
3. Change Companies: Switch companies strategically for bigger increases
4. Negotiate: Always negotiate offers and raises

The Real Talk: Salary growth is achievable. Get the right skills, perform well, change companies strategically, and negotiate. You can maximize your salary.

Ready to find your aerospace engineering job? Browse aerospace engineering jobs, check out our space engineering salary guide, or learn about highest paying space jobs. 🚀