Aerospace Engineer salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Aerospace Engineers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $130,870 a year ($62.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,360 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $134,960. Pay here is 17% lower than the California statewide median of $157,620. There are 0.49 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,540 | $41.12 |
| 25th percentile | $110,350 | $53.06 |
| Median | $130,870 | $62.92 |
| 75th percentile | $159,700 | $76.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,360 | $93.44 |
| Average (mean) | $137,690 | $66.20 |
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 | $10,905.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,452.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,033.46 |
| Weekly | $2,516.73 |
| Hourly | $62.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $130,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Aerospace Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $191,260 | 510 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $181,630 | 930 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $163,280 | 5,200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $135,490 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $135,010 | 800 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $132,230 | 200 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,530 | 120 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $128,720 | 700 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $128,670 | 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 |
See Aerospace Engineer pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $119,980 | $57.68 |
| Engineers, All Other | $136,650 | $65.70 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $121,130 | $58.23 |
| Industrial Engineer | $119,790 | $57.59 |
| Electrical Engineer | $134,640 | $64.73 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,810 | $65.30 |
| Environmental Engineer | $122,380 | $58.84 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $148,440 | $71.36 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $103,820 | $49.92 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $73,930 | $35.54 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $83,040 | $39.92 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $76,500 | $36.78 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $84,410 | $40.58 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $130,870 a year, or $62.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $194,360 a year. The top 25% earn $159,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,540 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $110,350 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 100 aerospace engineers are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.