Aeronautical Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Aeronautical Engineer make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aeronautical Engineer in the United States is $96,147 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, an Aeronautical Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,311
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $89,728 to $102,514
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $83,884

Key Factors That Influence Aeronautical Engineer Salaries

An Aeronautical Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Aeronautical Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aeronautical Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $79,288
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,820
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,337
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $139,210
  • Expert (over 8 years): $164,249
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Reliability Engineer I less than 1 year $79,288
Aeronautical Engineer 1-2 years $94,820
Reliability Engineer III 2-4 years $114,337
Reliability Engineer IV 5-8 years $139,210
Reliability Engineer V over 8 years $164,249

Top Paying Cities for Aeronautical Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $121,270
  • San Francisco: $119,942
  • Oakland: $117,414

Aeronautical Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aeronautical Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Aeronautical Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aeronautical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Aeronautical Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $105,761 $51.0 10%
Biotechnology $105,761 $51.0 10%
Chemicals $105,761 $51.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $105,761 $51.0 10%
Financial Services $105,761 $51.0 10%

How Education impacts an Aeronautical Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Aeronautical Engineer professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Aeronautical Engineer with a Associate's is between $91,915 and $95,734.

Aeronautical Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Aeronautical Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 51%
High School 44.9%
Associate's Degree 4.1%
Bachelor's Degree 51%
Master's Degree or MBA 44.9%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 4.1%

Aeronautical Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Aeronautical Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$89,728
Average $96,147/year
$102,514
$7,477
Average $8,012/month
$8,543
$1,726
Average $1,849/week
$1,971
$43
Average $46/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $102,514 $8,543 $1,971 $49
Average $96,147 $8,012 $1,849 $46
25th Percentile $89,728 $7,477 $1,726 $43

Most common benefits for Aeronautical Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Aeronautical Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Aeronautical Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Aeronautical Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Aeronautical Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    7 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Aeronautical Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Aeronautical Engineer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Aeronautical Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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