Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$99,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $82,890
State Rank
#4 of 24
1,560 employed here

How much do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians make in California?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians in California take home a median of $99,000 annually — roughly $47.60 an hour — which runs 19% above the national median of $82,890.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $71,990 while the top 10% make $161,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,560 and $119,980 a year.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$71,990$34.61
25th percentile (early career)$81,560$39.21
50th percentile (median)$99,000$47.60
75th percentile (experienced)$119,980$57.68
90th percentile (top earners)$161,650$77.72

How California compares

California ranks 4th out of 24 states and territories for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$125,160
2Alaska$105,780
3Nevada$102,980
4California$99,000
5Colorado$98,990

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary in other states

Washington $125,160Alaska $105,780Nevada $102,980Colorado $98,990Maryland $91,820Oregon $81,100Virginia $81,040Massachusetts $79,420Connecticut $79,410Ohio $79,310Florida $78,560Kansas $78,350Texas $78,350Utah $76,680Arizona $75,230Minnesota $71,240Michigan $69,840New Mexico $66,460New York $64,480Indiana $62,520Alabama $62,130Pennsylvania $60,770Oklahoma $45,590

Working as Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians in California

Nationally, about 11,000 people work as Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($99,000) 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 do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians make in California?
The median Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary in California is $99,000 per year, or about $47.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $71,990 at the entry level to $161,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians about 19% more than the national median of $82,890. California ranks 4th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $99,000 a year. About 1,560 Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians 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 Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians 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.