Aerospace Engineers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$104,370
- 25th Percentile — Junior$129,010
- 50th Percentile — Median$157,620
- 75th Percentile — Senior$193,060
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$220,670
Half of Aerospace Engineers in California earn more than $157,620. The top 10% make $220,670 or more, while entry-level workers start around $104,370.
Aerospace Engineers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 41 states for Aerospace Engineers pay, at $159,960 per year (12.6% above the U.S. average of $142,060).
- 9,170 people work as Aerospace Engineers in California — 13.5% of all U.S. Aerospace Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.16: Aerospace Engineers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $104,370; the top 10% earn over $220,670.
- Hourly equivalent: $76.9 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among engineering jobs in California, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($190,590).
Aerospace Engineers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Aerospace Engineers here earn $159,960 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $159,960 is roughly equivalent to $112,648 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($159,590), Hawaii ($158,520), Colorado ($157,060) are the closest alternatives for Aerospace Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Computer Hardware Engineers $190,590/yr California +19.1% vs this role
- Nuclear Engineers $160,980/yr California +0.6% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $151,180/yr California 5.5% vs this role
- Petroleum Engineers $147,940/yr California 7.5% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $139,670/yr California 12.7% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $136,660/yr California 14.6% vs this role
- Biomedical Engineers $132,400/yr California 17.2% vs this role
- Materials Engineers $131,090/yr California 18.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Aerospace Engineers salary in California?
The average Aerospace Engineers salary in California is $159,960 per year (median $157,620), which is 12.6% above the national average of $142,060.
How does California rank for Aerospace Engineers pay?
California ranks 1st out of 41 states. The highest-paying state is California ($159,960/yr).
How much do entry-level Aerospace Engineers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Aerospace Engineers in California earn about $104,370 per year and the 25th percentile is $129,010.
How much do Aerospace Engineers make per hour in California?
About $76.9 per hour, based on the $159,960 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Aerospace Engineers work in California?
BLS counts 9,170 Aerospace Engineers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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