Aerospace Engineer salary in Boulder, CO
Aerospace Engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $167,160 a year ($80.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 800 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,410 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $134,960. Pay here is 7% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $156,190. There are 4.2 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 9.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $165,500, close to the median.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,320 | $49.67 |
| 25th percentile | $128,640 | $61.85 |
| Median | $167,160 | $80.36 |
| 75th percentile | $210,380 | $101.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,410 | $101.16 |
| Average (mean) | $165,500 | $79.57 |
Half of aerospace engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,930 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,965 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,429.23 |
| Weekly | $3,214.62 |
| Hourly | $80.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Aerospace Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $156,190 | 2,010 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $151,980 | 990 |
| Greeley, CO | $140,780 | 50 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $132,800 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for aerospace engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $159,060 |
| Washington | $158,370 |
| California | $157,620 |
| District of Columbia | $157,600 |
| Maryland | $156,750 |
| Colorado | $156,190 |
| Massachusetts | $149,470 |
| Vermont | $144,400 |
| Virginia | $143,210 |
| Georgia | $140,460 |
See Aerospace Engineer pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,360 | $59.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $161,720 | $77.75 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Engineers, All Other | $137,530 | $66.12 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,170 | $62.58 |
| Materials Engineer | $151,940 | $73.05 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,800 | $60.48 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $129,030 | $62.03 |
| Environmental Engineer | $103,530 | $49.77 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $104,550 | $50.26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,010 | $33.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a aerospace engineer make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $167,160 a year, or $80.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $210,410 a year. The top 25% earn $210,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,320 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $128,640 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Boulder, CO?
About 800 aerospace engineers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.