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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Civil Engineers: Who Earns More?

Civil Engineers out-earn Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians by $18K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians land at $82,890 and Civil Engineers at $100,840. The education gap is real: aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while civil engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is Washington ($125,160); for Civil Engineers it's California ($122,500).

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Civil Engineers
Median salary
$82,890
$100,840
Hourly rate
$39.85/hr
$48.48/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$59,050
$68,240
Senior level (90th %)
$125,160
$163,220
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
11,280
367,840
Job growth (10-year)
8.1%
5%
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
Washington
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Civil Engineers
Washington
$125,160
$110,000
Alaska
$105,780
$114,730
Nevada
$102,980
$104,310
California
$99,000
$122,500
Colorado
$98,990
$101,420
Maryland
$91,820
$100,680
Oregon
$81,100
$105,250
Massachusetts
$79,420
$106,730
Connecticut
$79,410
$103,150
Florida
$78,560
$98,570
Minnesota
$71,240
$101,480
New Mexico
$66,460
$103,900
New York
$64,480
$103,760
Alabama
$62,130
$99,010
Oklahoma
$45,590
$98,760

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Civil Engineers?

Civil Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $82,890 for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians versus $100,840 for Civil Engineers, a difference of $18K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Civil Engineers?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 8.1% projected growth, compared to 5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Civil Engineers?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Civil Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians at $125,160/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Civil Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn $125,160 vs. $110,000 for Civil Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Civil Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Civil Engineers by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a civil engineersGuide →