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Aeronautical Engineer Salary in California

How much does an Aeronautical Engineer make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aeronautical Engineer in California is $106,052 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,465
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,971 to $113,073
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $92,524
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Aeronautical Engineer Job Openings in California

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 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): $87,455
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $104,589
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $126,115
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $153,550
  • Expert (over 8 years): $181,171
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Reliability Engineer I less than 1 year $87,455
Aeronautical Engineer 1-2 years $104,589
Reliability Engineer III 2-4 years $126,115
Reliability Engineer IV 5-8 years $153,550
Reliability Engineer V over 8 years $181,171

How Do Aeronautical Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Aeronautical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $106,456.
  • California: $106,052.
  • Massachusetts: $104,638.

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:

  • Los Angeles: $106,234
  • West Hollywood: $106,157
  • Dodgertown: $106,233

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 $116,657 $56.0 10%
Biotechnology $116,657 $56.0 10%
Chemicals $116,657 $56.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $116,657 $56.0 10%
Financial Services $116,657 $56.0 10%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$98,971
Average $106,052/year
$113,073
$8,248
Average $8,838/month
$9,423
$1,903
Average $2,039/week
$2,174
$48
Average $51/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,073 $9,423 $2,174 $54
Average $106,052 $8,838 $2,039 $51
25th Percentile $98,971 $8,248 $1,903 $48

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.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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