Aerospace Engineers Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
The median pay for a aerospace engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $174,130/year ($83.72/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $110K at the entry level to $218K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $156,690 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,501/month, or 22.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $174K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About aerospace engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level aerospace engineers (10th percentile) start around $110K. Mid-career wages sit at $174K.Top earners bring in $218K or more - a $109K 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 |
Track aerospace engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do aerospace engineers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $174,130 a year - that works out to about $83.72 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $109,560, and experienced aerospace engineers can clear $218,290. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $174K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,814/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 23.1% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $156,690 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.