Aerospace Engineer Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$158,370
per year
Hourly Rate
$76.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $134,960
State Rank
#2 of 41
5,760 employed here

How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in Washington?

Aerospace Engineers in Washington take home a median of $158,370 annually — roughly $76.14 an hour — which runs 17% above the national median of $134,960.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $112,580 while the top 10% make $207,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $130,560 and $181,460 a year.

Aerospace Engineer salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$112,580$54.13
25th percentile (early career)$130,560$62.77
50th percentile (median)$158,370$76.14
75th percentile (experienced)$181,460$87.24
90th percentile (top earners)$207,710$99.86

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 2nd 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($158,370) 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 Washington?
The median Aerospace Engineer salary in Washington is $158,370 per year, or about $76.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $112,580 at the entry level to $207,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Aerospace Engineers about 17% more than the national median of $134,960. Washington ranks 2nd out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Aerospace Engineers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $158,370 a year. About 5,760 Aerospace Engineers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.