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Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders vs. Aerospace Engineers: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineers out-earn Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders by $89K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders land at $46,460 and Aerospace Engineers at $134,960. The education gap is real: adhesive bonding machine operators and tender programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while aerospace engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders is Utah ($65,500); for Aerospace Engineers it's Minnesota ($159,060).

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Aerospace Engineers
Median salary
$46,460
$134,960
Hourly rate
$22.34/hr
$64.89/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,460
$86,700
Senior level (90th %)
$60,810
$205,890
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
11,500
67,710
Job growth (10-year)
1%
6.1%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Engineering
Top-paying state
Utah
Minnesota

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders median pay.

State
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Aerospace Engineers
Utah
$65,500
$135,840
Washington
$56,580
$158,370
Minnesota
$56,540
$159,060
Pennsylvania
$53,320
$133,940
Colorado
$49,920
$156,190
Ohio
$49,390
$138,440
Kansas
$47,490
$130,330
Virginia
$47,250
$143,210
South Carolina
$47,000
$137,030
Georgia
$46,350
$140,460
Nebraska
$43,230
$135,670
California
$40,440
$157,620
Massachusetts
$39,250
$149,470
Missouri
$38,340
$130,680
Maryland
$33,540
$156,750

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders or Aerospace Engineers?

Aerospace Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $46,460 for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders versus $134,960 for Aerospace Engineers, a difference of $89K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders or Aerospace Engineers?

Aerospace Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 6.1% projected growth, compared to 1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders or Aerospace Engineers?

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Aerospace Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders get paid the most?

Utah is the top-paying state for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders at $65,500/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders vs. Aerospace Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Utah, Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders earn $65,500 vs. $135,840 for Aerospace Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders salary breakdownView →Full Aerospace Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aerospace Engineers by take-home payExplore →How to become a adhesive bonding machine operators and tendersGuide →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →