Aerospace Engineers Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
The median pay for a aerospace engineers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $134,190/year ($64.51/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $177K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $127,291 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,922/month, or 24.3% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $134K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro’s Regional Price Parity (105.42). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About aerospace engineers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level aerospace engineers (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $134K. Top earners bring in $177K or more, a $93K spread from bottom to top.
Aerospace Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $175K | +30% | 330 |
| Washington | $159K | +18% | 5,700 |
| Maryland | $158K | +17% | 3,490 |
| Massachusetts | $152K | +13% | 990 |
| Iowa | $150K | +11% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $148K | +10% | 140 |
| California | $144K | +7% | 9,330 |
| Georgia | $143K | +6% | 3,060 |
| Vermont | $141K | +4% | 90 |
| New Mexico | $140K | +4% | 1,940 |
| Arizona | $136K | +1% | 1,770 |
| Hawaii | $135K | +0% | 50 |
| Ohio | $134K | -0% | 3,770 |
| Maine | $134K | -1% | 130 |
| Alabama | $133K | -1% | 5,570 |
| Virginia | $132K | -2% | 2,820 |
| South Carolina | $132K | -2% | 450 |
| Utah | $131K | -3% | 1,000 |
| New Jersey | $128K | -5% | 1,550 |
| Florida | $128K | -5% | 3,100 |
| Kansas | $127K | -6% | 1,900 |
| Texas | $126K | -6% | 7,660 |
| New York | $125K | -7% | 730 |
| Illinois | $123K | -9% | 280 |
| Tennessee | $122K | -9% | 790 |
| Louisiana | $121K | -10% | 90 |
| Connecticut | $119K | -12% | 1,170 |
| Kentucky | $118K | -13% | 210 |
| North Carolina | $117K | -13% | 690 |
| Michigan | $116K | -14% | 390 |
| Oregon | $112K | -17% | 240 |
| Missouri | $112K | -17% | 840 |
| Oklahoma | $110K | -18% | 1,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $109K | -20% | 820 |
| Indiana | $104K | -23% | 470 |
| Arkansas | $104K | -23% | 130 |
| Nevada | $101K | -25% | 330 |
| Alaska | $101K | -25% | 80 |
| Mississippi | $97K | -28% | 100 |
| Idaho | $82K | -40% | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $76K | -44% | 130 |
Showing 1–10 of 41 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track aerospace engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do aerospace engineers make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $134,190 a year, that works out to about $65 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $83,470, and experienced aerospace engineers can clear $176,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $134K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,598/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month, which eats 25.3% 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median aerospace engineers salary is worth about $127,291 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.