Aerospace Engineer salary in North Carolina
Aerospace Engineers in North Carolina earn a median of $122,930 a year ($59.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,720 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $134,960. North Carolina ranks 33rd of 41 states for aerospace engineers pay. There are 0.13 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $127,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| 25th percentile | $94,210 | $45.29 |
| Median | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| 75th percentile | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,720 | $84.96 |
| Average (mean) | $127,500 | $61.30 |
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 | $10,244.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,122.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,728.08 |
| Weekly | $2,364.04 |
| Hourly | $59.10 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $139,010 | 800 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $132,830 | 100 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,130 | $52.95 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,670 | $64.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,240 | $50.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,800 | $51.34 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,410 | $56.45 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $70,310 | $33.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in North Carolina is $122,930 a year, or $59.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in North Carolina earn at least $176,720 a year. The top 25% earn $149,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,310 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $94,210 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in North Carolina?
About 650 aerospace engineers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.