Aerospace Engineer salary in District of Columbia
Aerospace Engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of $157,600 a year ($75.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,310 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $134,960. District of Columbia ranks 4th of 41 states for aerospace engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.42 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $154,410, close to the median.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,200 | $47.21 |
| 25th percentile | $105,870 | $50.90 |
| Median | $157,600 | $75.77 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,310 | $94.38 |
| Average (mean) | $154,410 | $74.24 |
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 | $13,133.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,566.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,061.54 |
| Weekly | $3,030.77 |
| Hourly | $75.77 |
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 District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $166,420 | 2,420 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $151,920 | $73.04 |
| Civil Engineer | $103,880 | $49.94 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $133,300 | $64.09 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $172,330 | $82.85 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $157,040 | $75.50 |
| Electrical Engineer | $143,000 | $68.75 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $163,360 | $78.54 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,300 | $49.66 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $97,880 | $47.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $97,620 | $46.93 |
| Landscape Architect | $85,100 | $40.91 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in District of Columbia is $157,600 a year, or $75.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in District of Columbia earn at least $196,310 a year. The top 25% earn $195,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,200 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $105,870 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in District of Columbia?
About 290 aerospace engineers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.