Aerospace Engineer salary in California
Aerospace Engineers in California earn a median of $157,620 a year ($75.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,670 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $134,960. California ranks 3rd of 41 states for aerospace engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.50 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $159,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| 25th percentile | $129,010 | $62.03 |
| Median | $157,620 | $75.78 |
| 75th percentile | $193,060 | $92.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,670 | $106.09 |
| Average (mean) | $159,960 | $76.91 |
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 | $13,135 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,567.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,062.31 |
| Weekly | $3,031.15 |
| Hourly | $75.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Aerospace Engineer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $191,260 | 510 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $181,630 | 930 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $163,280 | 5,200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $135,490 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $135,010 | 800 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $132,230 | 200 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $130,870 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,530 | 120 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $128,720 | 700 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $128,670 | 110 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Industrial Engineer | $124,600 | $59.90 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $130,900 | $62.94 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Electrical Engineer | $144,040 | $69.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $185,180 | $89.03 |
| Environmental Engineer | $130,410 | $62.70 |
| Materials Engineer | $128,470 | $61.77 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $128,310 | $61.69 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $131,540 | $63.24 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $172,400 | $82.88 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $143,590 | $69.03 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $158,130 | $76.03 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in California is $157,620 a year, or $75.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in California?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in California earn at least $220,670 a year. The top 25% earn $193,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,370 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $129,010 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in California?
About 9,170 aerospace engineers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.