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Salary comparison

Aerospace Engineers vs. Aircraft Service Attendants: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineers out-earn Aircraft Service Attendants by $95K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineers land at $134,960 and Aircraft Service Attendants at $40,450. The education gap is real: aerospace engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while aircraft service attendant programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineers is Minnesota ($159,060); for Aircraft Service Attendants it's Maryland ($71,740).

Aerospace Engineers
Aircraft Service Attendants
Median salary
$134,960
$40,450
Hourly rate
$64.89/hr
$19.45/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$86,700
$33,830
Senior level (90th %)
$205,890
$57,610
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
67,710
31,300
Job growth (10-year)
6.1%
5.1%
Category
Engineering
Transportation
Top-paying state
Minnesota
Maryland

Pay by state

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

State
Aerospace Engineers
Aircraft Service Attendants
Minnesota
$159,060
$46,930
Washington
$158,370
$50,520
California
$157,620
$46,800
Maryland
$156,750
$71,740
Colorado
$156,190
$44,500
Massachusetts
$149,470
$44,190
Hawaii
$137,240
$53,770
Utah
$135,840
$46,900
New Mexico
$132,850
$45,280
Kansas
$130,330
$45,960
New York
$130,330
$44,600
Tennessee
$128,510
$56,620
New Jersey
$126,430
$46,210
Arizona
$123,170
$43,780
Alaska
$101,710
$46,760

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineers or Aircraft Service Attendants?

Aerospace Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $134,960 for Aerospace Engineers versus $40,450 for Aircraft Service Attendants, a difference of $95K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineers or Aircraft Service Attendants?

Aerospace Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 6.1% projected growth, compared to 5.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineers or Aircraft Service Attendants?

Aerospace Engineers typically requires bachelor's degree. Aircraft Service Attendants 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 Service Attendants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Aerospace Engineers earn $159,060 vs. $46,930 for Aircraft Service Attendants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Service Attendants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Service Attendants by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →How to become a aircraft service attendantsGuide →