California Median
$157,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$75.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $134,960
State Rank
#3 of 41
9,170 employed here
How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in California?
An Aerospace Engineer working in California earns a median salary of $157,620 per year, or about $75.78 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $134,960 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $104,370 while the top 10% make $220,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $129,010 and $193,060 a year.
Aerospace Engineer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,370 | $50.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $129,010 | $62.02 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $157,620 | $75.78 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $193,060 | $92.82 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,670 | $106.09 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 41 states and territories for Aerospace Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Aerospace Engineer salary in other states
Minnesota $159,060Washington $158,370District of Columbia $157,600Maryland $156,750Colorado $156,190Massachusetts $149,470Vermont $144,400Virginia $143,210Georgia $140,460Ohio $138,440Hawaii $137,240South Carolina $137,030Louisiana $136,970Utah $135,840Nebraska $135,670Pennsylvania $133,940New Mexico $132,850Missouri $130,680Kansas $130,330New York $130,330Texas $130,270Connecticut $129,500Florida $129,280Michigan $128,960Tennessee $128,510Alabama $127,540New Jersey $126,430Kentucky $126,130Oklahoma $125,470Oregon $124,630Arizona $123,170North Carolina $122,930Mississippi $109,200Illinois $108,940Indiana $107,400Arkansas $102,040Alaska $101,710Nevada $96,730Idaho $95,700Wisconsin $88,400
Working as an Aerospace Engineer in California
Nationally, about 68,000 people work as Aerospace Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($157,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in California?
The median Aerospace Engineer salary in California is $157,620 per year, or about $75.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $104,370 at the entry level to $220,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Aerospace Engineers about 17% more than the national median of $134,960. California ranks 3rd out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Aerospace Engineers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $157,620 a year. About 9,170 Aerospace Engineers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Aerospace Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.