Aerospace Engineer salary in Charlottesville, VA
Aerospace Engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $122,690 a year ($58.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $92,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,310 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $134,960. Pay here is 14% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $143,210. There are 0.28 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $137,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,680 | $44.56 |
| 25th percentile | $94,980 | $45.66 |
| Median | $122,690 | $58.99 |
| 75th percentile | $164,430 | $79.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $229,310 | $110.24 |
| Average (mean) | $137,420 | $66.07 |
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 | $10,224.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,112.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,718.85 |
| Weekly | $2,359.42 |
| Hourly | $58.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $166,420 | 2,420 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $139,010 | 800 |
| Richmond, VA | $120,370 | 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 |
See Aerospace Engineer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,130 | $51.02 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,560 | $47.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $122,600 | $58.94 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $106,980 | $51.44 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $153,340 | $73.72 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $113,510 | $54.57 |
| Civil Engineer | $89,250 | $42.91 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,140 | $26.99 |
| Surveyor | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $51,690 | $24.85 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $122,690 a year, or $58.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $229,310 a year. The top 25% earn $164,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,680 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $94,980 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 30 aerospace engineers are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.