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Salary comparison

Aerospace Engineers vs. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineers out-earn Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors by $77K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineers land at $134,960 and Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors at $58,170. The education gap is real: aerospace engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while aircraft cargo handling supervisor programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineers is Minnesota ($159,060); for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors it's Georgia ($81,380).

Aerospace Engineers
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Median salary
$134,960
$58,170
Hourly rate
$64.89/hr
$27.97/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$86,700
$41,690
Senior level (90th %)
$205,890
$92,160
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
67,710
9,760
Job growth (10-year)
6.1%
5.2%
Category
Engineering
Transportation
Top-paying state
Minnesota
Georgia

Pay by state

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

State
Aerospace Engineers
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Colorado
$156,190
$79,260
Virginia
$143,210
$78,420
Georgia
$140,460
$81,380
Ohio
$138,440
$79,650
Louisiana
$136,970
$79,460
Pennsylvania
$133,940
$75,620
New Mexico
$132,850
$72,760
Missouri
$130,680
$76,450
Connecticut
$129,500
$78,770
Florida
$129,280
$62,240
New Jersey
$126,430
$65,590
Arizona
$123,170
$74,780
Indiana
$107,400
$75,880
Arkansas
$102,040
$73,520
Nevada
$96,730
$70,740

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineers or Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?

Aerospace Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $134,960 for Aerospace Engineers versus $58,170 for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors, a difference of $77K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineers or Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?

Aerospace Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 6.1% projected growth, compared to 5.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineers or Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?

Aerospace Engineers typically requires bachelor's degree. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors 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. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Colorado, Aerospace Engineers earn $156,190 vs. $79,260 for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →How to become a aircraft cargo handling supervisorsGuide →