Aerospace Engineer salary in Kentucky
Aerospace Engineers in Kentucky earn a median of $126,130 a year ($60.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,340 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $134,960. Kentucky ranks 29th of 41 states for aerospace engineers pay. There are 0.15 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $133,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,440 | $48.29 |
| 25th percentile | $105,000 | $50.48 |
| Median | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| 75th percentile | $166,300 | $79.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,340 | $82.86 |
| Average (mean) | $133,200 | $64.04 |
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 | $10,510.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,255.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,851.15 |
| Weekly | $2,425.58 |
| Hourly | $60.64 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $126,130 | 120 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $116,200 | $55.86 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,830 | $48.00 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $107,760 | $51.81 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $103,300 | $49.67 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $95,360 | $45.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in Kentucky is $126,130 a year, or $60.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in Kentucky earn at least $172,340 a year. The top 25% earn $166,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,440 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $105,000 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Kentucky?
About 290 aerospace engineers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.