Aerospace Engineer salary in Tucson, AZ
Aerospace Engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $106,760 a year ($51.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,990 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $134,960. Pay here is 13% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $123,170. There are 4.4 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 10.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $120,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,250 | $37.62 |
| 25th percentile | $96,700 | $46.49 |
| Median | $106,760 | $51.33 |
| 75th percentile | $135,310 | $65.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,990 | $81.73 |
| Average (mean) | $120,380 | $57.87 |
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 | $8,896.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,448.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,106.15 |
| Weekly | $2,053.08 |
| Hourly | $51.33 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $130,470 | 1,360 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer | $117,470 | $56.48 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,700 | $46.01 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,750 | $47.96 |
| Civil Engineer | $81,490 | $39.18 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,030 | $50.02 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,950 | $49.49 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Materials Engineer | $95,930 | $46.12 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $106,220 | $51.07 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,340 | $50.65 |
| Environmental Engineer | $78,650 | $37.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,730 | $33.52 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $75,230 | $36.17 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $106,760 a year, or $51.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $169,990 a year. The top 25% earn $135,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,250 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $96,700 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Tucson, AZ?
About 1,720 aerospace engineers are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.