Aerospace Engineer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Aerospace Engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $139,010 a year ($66.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 800 workers.
Pay ranges from $92,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,250 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $134,960. Pay here is 3% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $143,210. There are 1.0 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $142,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| 25th percentile | $114,070 | $54.84 |
| Median | $139,010 | $66.83 |
| 75th percentile | $168,460 | $80.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,250 | $92.91 |
| Average (mean) | $142,550 | $68.54 |
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 | $11,584.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,792.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,346.54 |
| Weekly | $2,673.27 |
| Hourly | $66.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $139,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $166,420 | 2,420 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $132,830 | 100 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $122,690 | 30 |
| Richmond, VA | $120,370 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | $45.52 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,210 | $49.62 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| Engineers, All Other | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,060 | $49.07 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $131,710 | $63.32 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,110 | $49.09 |
| Materials Engineer | $116,720 | $56.12 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $97,870 | $47.06 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,760 | $27.77 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $139,010 a year, or $66.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $193,250 a year. The top 25% earn $168,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,930 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $114,070 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 800 aerospace engineers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.