Aerospace Engineer Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Aerospace Engineers in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$157,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$75.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $134,960
State Rank
#4 of 41
290 employed here

How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in District of Columbia?

An Aerospace Engineer working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $157,600 per year, or about $75.77 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $134,960 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $98,200 while the top 10% make $196,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,870 and $195,190 a year.

Aerospace Engineer salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$98,200$47.21
25th percentile (early career)$105,870$50.90
50th percentile (median)$157,600$75.77
75th percentile (experienced)$195,190$93.84
90th percentile (top earners)$196,310$94.38

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 4th out of 41 states and territories for Aerospace Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Minnesota$159,060
2Washington$158,370
3California$157,620
4District of Columbia$157,600
5Maryland$156,750

Working as an Aerospace Engineer in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($157,600) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Aerospace Engineer salary in District of Columbia is $157,600 per year, or about $75.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $98,200 at the entry level to $196,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Aerospace Engineers about 17% more than the national median of $134,960. District of Columbia ranks 4th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Aerospace Engineers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $157,600 a year. About 290 Aerospace Engineers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.