North Carolina Median
$122,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$59.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $134,960
State Rank
#33 of 41
650 employed here
How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in North Carolina?
Aerospace Engineers in North Carolina take home a median of $122,930 annually — roughly $59.10 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $134,960.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $79,310 while the top 10% make $176,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $94,210 and $149,990 a year.
Aerospace Engineer salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,310 | $38.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $94,210 | $45.29 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $122,930 | $59.10 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $149,990 | $72.11 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,720 | $84.96 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 33rd 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 $158,370California $157,620District 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 $123,170Mississippi $109,200Illinois $108,940Indiana $107,400Arkansas $102,040Alaska $101,710Nevada $96,730Idaho $95,700Wisconsin $88,400
Working as an Aerospace Engineer in North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($122,930) 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 North Carolina?
The median Aerospace Engineer salary in North Carolina is $122,930 per year, or about $59.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $79,310 at the entry level to $176,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Aerospace Engineers about 9% less than the national median of $134,960. North Carolina ranks 33rd out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Aerospace Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $122,930 a year. About 650 Aerospace Engineers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.