Aerospace Engineers Salary
The median pay for a aerospace engineers in North Carolina is $122,930/year ($59.1/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $177K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $132,668 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 16.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $123K get you in North Carolina?
About aerospace engineers
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Aerospace engineers pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $123K locally vs. $135K nationwide, a 9% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 17.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level aerospace engineers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K. Top earners bring in $177K or more, a $97K spread from bottom to top.
Aerospace Engineers salary by metro in North Carolina
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $133K | +8% | 100 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a aerospace engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $123K, rent takes 17.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for aerospace engineers in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new aerospace engineers typically earn — is $79K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,759/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 27% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is aerospace engineer a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $123K locally vs. $135K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for aerospace engineers?
North Carolina pays $123K median vs. the U.S. average of $135K — that’s -9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $133K — below the national median.
How much do aerospace engineers make in North Carolina?
The median is $122,930 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,310, and experienced aerospace engineers can clear $176,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,437/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 17.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a aerospace engineers salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median aerospace engineers salary is worth about $132,668 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do aerospace engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.