Aerospace Engineer salary in Richmond, VA
Aerospace Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $120,370 a year ($57.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,730 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $134,960. Pay here is 16% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $143,210. There are 0.17 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $140,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,190 | $40.00 |
| 25th percentile | $93,180 | $44.80 |
| Median | $120,370 | $57.87 |
| 75th percentile | $175,600 | $84.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $250,730 | $120.54 |
| Average (mean) | $140,140 | $67.38 |
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 | $10,030.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,015.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,629.62 |
| Weekly | $2,314.81 |
| Hourly | $57.87 |
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 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $122,690 | 30 |
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 Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $91,300 | $43.90 |
| Electrical Engineer | $116,760 | $56.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,180 | $49.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,130 | $50.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Materials Engineer | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $132,270 | $63.59 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,150 | $56.32 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $120,370 a year, or $57.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $250,730 a year. The top 25% earn $175,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,190 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $93,180 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Richmond, VA?
About 110 aerospace engineers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.