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Aerospace Engineer Salary in California

How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aerospace Engineer in California is $126,276 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $142,424
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $118,400 to $134,728
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $111,230
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Aerospace Engineer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Aerospace Engineer Salaries

An Aerospace 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 Aerospace Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aerospace 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): $89,569
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $110,260
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $124,515
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $157,609
  • Expert (over 8 years): $181,962
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Aerospace Engineer I less than 1 year $89,569
Aerospace Engineer II 1-2 years $110,260
Aerospace Engineer 2-4 years $124,515
Aerospace Engineer IV 5-8 years $157,609
Aerospace Engineer V over 8 years $181,962

How Do Aerospace 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 Aerospace Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $126,757.
  • California: $126,276.
  • Massachusetts: $124,593.

Top Paying Cities for Aerospace 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: $126,493
  • West Hollywood: $126,402
  • Dodgertown: $126,492

Aerospace Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aerospace Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Aerospace Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aerospace Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Aerospace Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $170,472 $82.0 35%
Energy & Utilities $157,845 $76.0 25%
Aerospace & Defense $145,217 $70.0 15%
MFG Durable $132,590 $64.0 5%

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

Understanding how an Aerospace 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 October 01, 2026
$118,400
Average $126,276/year
$134,728
$9,867
Average $10,523/month
$11,227
$2,277
Average $2,428/week
$2,591
$57
Average $61/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $134,728 $11,227 $2,591 $65
Average $126,276 $10,523 $2,428 $61
25th Percentile $118,400 $9,867 $2,277 $57

Find Your Next Aerospace Engineer Job

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

  • Trigo ADR Americas | Los Angeles, CA

    Aerospace Supplier Quality Engineer

    Trigo ADR Americas | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. The Supplier Quality Engineer will be responsible for executing and expanding on key initiatives inside of the supplier q... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Kinetic Personnel Group | Los Angeles, CA

    Aerospace Quality Engineer

    Kinetic Personnel Group | Los Angeles, CA

    Quality Engineer â Aerospace Manufacturing Location: Commerce, CA Schedule: Full-Time | On-Site Salary: $120,000 â $140,000 annually Industry: Aerospace Ma... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Hanmar, LLC | Pacoima, CA

    Manufacturing Engineer Aerospace

    Hanmar, LLC | Pacoima, CA

    MANUFACTURING ENGINEER - AEROSPACE METAL FORMING Position Summary The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, improving, and supporting manuf... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Johnson Service Group | Valencia, CA

    Aerospace Project Engineer

    Johnson Service Group | Valencia, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Johnson Service Group, a nationwide staffing company is looking for Project Engineer someone with 5+ years of experience ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. | San Luis Obispo, CA

    Staff Aerospace Engineer

    Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. | San Luis Obispo, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Staff Aerospace Engineer - Performance and Design. Job Summary: . Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero) is seeking a... more

    7 Days Ago

  • DIRECT Staffing Solutions | Oxnard, CA

    Aerospace Structural Composite Design Engineer

    DIRECT Staffing Solutions | Oxnard, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Aerospace Structural Composite Design Engineer. Job Type / Location. Full-time | Direct Hire. Location. Oxnard, CA. Work ... more

    4 Days Ago

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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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