Aerospace Engineer salary in Washington
Aerospace Engineers in Washington earn a median of $158,370 a year ($76.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $112,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,710 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $134,960. Washington ranks 2nd of 41 states for aerospace engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.6 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $156,000, close to the median.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,580 | $54.12 |
| 25th percentile | $130,560 | $62.77 |
| Median | $158,370 | $76.14 |
| 75th percentile | $181,460 | $87.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,710 | $99.86 |
| Average (mean) | $156,000 | $75.00 |
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 | $13,197.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,598.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,091.15 |
| Weekly | $3,045.58 |
| Hourly | $76.14 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $163,580 | 5,480 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $140,540 | 60 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $138,670 | 110 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $110,000 | $52.89 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $132,710 | $63.81 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $134,570 | $64.70 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Environmental Engineer | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $169,120 | $81.31 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,480 | $62.25 |
| Materials Engineer | $139,840 | $67.23 |
| Chemical Engineer | $128,290 | $61.68 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $109,550 | $52.67 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in Washington is $158,370 a year, or $76.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $112,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Washington?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in Washington earn at least $207,710 a year. The top 25% earn $181,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $112,580 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $130,560 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Washington?
About 5,760 aerospace engineers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.