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Salary comparison

Aerospace Engineers vs. Agricultural Inspectors: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineers out-earn Agricultural Inspectors by $85K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineers land at $134,960 and Agricultural Inspectors at $49,940. The education gap is real: aerospace engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while agricultural inspector programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineers is Minnesota ($159,060); for Agricultural Inspectors it's Minnesota ($77,150).

Aerospace Engineers
Agricultural Inspectors
Median salary
$134,960
$49,940
Hourly rate
$64.89/hr
$24.01/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$86,700
$37,020
Senior level (90th %)
$205,890
$79,580
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
67,710
14,410
Job growth (10-year)
6.1%
1.5%
Category
Engineering
Farming & Fishing
Top-paying state
Minnesota
Minnesota

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineers median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineers
Agricultural Inspectors
Minnesota
$159,060
$77,150
Washington
$158,370
$62,880
California
$157,620
$53,620
Maryland
$156,750
$58,160
Vermont
$144,400
$63,630
Ohio
$138,440
$69,280
Hawaii
$137,240
$60,650
Louisiana
$136,970
$63,130
Utah
$135,840
$53,930
Nebraska
$135,670
$55,090
Pennsylvania
$133,940
$55,650
New York
$130,330
$73,920
Michigan
$128,960
$65,730
Illinois
$108,940
$62,000
Wisconsin
$88,400
$53,640

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineers or Agricultural Inspectors?

Aerospace Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $134,960 for Aerospace Engineers versus $49,940 for Agricultural Inspectors, a difference of $85K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineers or Agricultural Inspectors?

Aerospace Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 6.1% projected growth, compared to 1.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineers or Agricultural Inspectors?

Aerospace Engineers typically requires bachelor's degree. Agricultural Inspectors requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aerospace Engineers get paid the most?

Minnesota is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineers at $159,060/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aerospace Engineers vs. Agricultural Inspectors pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Aerospace Engineers earn $159,060 vs. $77,150 for Agricultural Inspectors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Agricultural Inspectors salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Agricultural Inspectors by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →How to become a agricultural inspectorsGuide →