Aerospace Engineer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Aerospace Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $166,420 a year ($80.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $249,990 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $134,960. Pay here is 6% higher than the District of Columbia statewide median of $157,600. There are 0.77 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $168,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,030 | $50.01 |
| 25th percentile | $132,510 | $63.71 |
| Median | $166,420 | $80.01 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $249,990 | $120.19 |
| Average (mean) | $168,780 | $81.15 |
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 | $13,868.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,934.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,400.77 |
| Weekly | $3,200.38 |
| Hourly | $80.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $166,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $166,980 | 1,220 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $139,010 | 800 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $138,380 | 960 |
| 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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $151,340 | $72.76 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,780 | $48.93 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $126,990 | $61.05 |
| Electrical Engineer | $126,420 | $60.78 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $140,000 | $67.31 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,600 | $56.54 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $159,480 | $76.67 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $180,360 | $86.71 |
| Environmental Engineer | $120,580 | $57.97 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $159,700 | $76.78 |
| Materials Engineer | $140,640 | $67.62 |
| Chemical Engineer | $132,820 | $63.86 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $110,390 | $53.07 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $125,760 | $60.46 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $166,420 a year, or $80.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $249,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $249,990 a year. The top 25% earn $195,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,030 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $132,510 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 2,420 aerospace engineers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.