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Chief Aerospace Engineer Salary in California

How much does a Chief Aerospace Engineer make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Aerospace Engineer in California is $108,523 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,060
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $102,034 to $117,179
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $96,127
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Chief Aerospace Engineer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Chief Aerospace Engineer Salaries

A Chief 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 Chief Aerospace Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief 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): $92,309
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $106,720
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $133,238
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $154,567
  • Expert (over 8 years): $179,298
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Electrical Engineer I less than 1 year $92,309
Chief Aerospace Engineer 1-2 years $106,720
Electrical Engineer III 2-4 years $133,238
Electrical Engineer IV 5-8 years $154,567
Electrical Engineer V over 8 years $179,298

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

  • District of Columbia: $108,937.
  • California: $108,523.
  • Massachusetts: $107,077.

Top Paying Cities for Chief 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: $108,710
  • West Hollywood: $108,632
  • Dodgertown: $108,709

Chief Aerospace Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Aerospace Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Chief Aerospace Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Aerospace Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief Aerospace Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services $151,933 $73.0 40%
Software & Networking $146,507 $70.0 35%
Energy & Utilities $141,080 $68.0 30%
Biotechnology $135,654 $65.0 25%
Pharmaceuticals $135,654 $65.0 25%

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

Understanding how a Chief 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
$102,034
Average $108,523/year
$117,179
$8,503
Average $9,044/month
$9,765
$1,962
Average $2,087/week
$2,253
$49
Average $52/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,179 $9,765 $2,253 $56
Average $108,523 $9,044 $2,087 $52
25th Percentile $102,034 $8,503 $1,962 $49

Find Your Next Chief Aerospace Engineer Job

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

  • Kinetic Personnel Group | Commerce, CA

    Aerospace Quality Engineer

    Kinetic Personnel Group | Commerce, CA

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

    8 Days Ago

  • AMS Group, Inc | Torrance, CA

    Aerospace Product Engineer

    AMS Group, Inc | Torrance, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Company Overview. AMS Group, Inc. is a leading distributor, manufacturer and supplier of engineered aerospac... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Science Applications International Corporation | San Bernardino, CA

    Senior Aerospace Engineer

    Science Applications International Corporation | San Bernardino, CA

    DescriptionSAIC is seeking experienced and highly motivated engineers to join our team of Rocket Scientists in San Bernardino, CA. Tired of the long commut... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Archer Aviation | San Jose, CA

    Aerospace Software Certification Engineer

    Archer Aviation | San Jose, CA

    Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that... more

    9 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

    8 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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