Aerospace Engineer salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Aerospace Engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $163,580 a year ($78.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $112,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,710 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $134,960. Pay here is 3% higher than the Washington statewide median of $158,370. There are 2.6 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $156,970, close to the median.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,650 | $54.16 |
| 25th percentile | $131,910 | $63.42 |
| Median | $163,580 | $78.64 |
| 75th percentile | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,710 | $99.86 |
| Average (mean) | $156,970 | $75.47 |
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 | $13,631.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,815.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,291.54 |
| Weekly | $3,145.77 |
| Hourly | $78.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $163,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $140,540 | 60 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $138,670 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Electrical Engineer | $140,210 | $67.41 |
| Industrial Engineer | $131,210 | $63.08 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| Engineers, All Other | $137,430 | $66.07 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $169,120 | $81.31 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $138,890 | $66.78 |
| Environmental Engineer | $128,410 | $61.74 |
| Materials Engineer | $156,130 | $75.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $161,050 | $77.43 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,200 | $60.19 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $129,820 | $62.42 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $163,580 a year, or $78.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $112,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $207,710 a year. The top 25% earn $181,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $112,650 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $131,910 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 5,480 aerospace engineers are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.