Aerospace Engineers Salary
The median pay for a aerospace engineers in Washington is $158,370/year ($76.14/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $113K at the entry level to $208K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $155,249 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 17.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $158K get you in Washington?
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for aerospace engineers, local pay runs about 17% higher than the U.S. median of $135K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 18.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for aerospace engineerss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level aerospace engineers (10th percentile) start around $113K. Mid-career wages sit at $158K. Top earners bring in $208K or more, a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Aerospace Engineers salary by metro in Washington
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $164K | +3% | 5,480 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $141K | -11% | 60 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a aerospace engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $158K, rent takes 18.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for aerospace engineers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new aerospace engineers typically earn — is $113K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,755/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 27% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is aerospace engineer a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 17% above the national median — $158K here vs. $135K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for aerospace engineers?
Washington pays $158K median vs. the U.S. average of $135K — that’s +17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $155K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do aerospace engineers make in Washington?
The median is $158,370 a year, that works out to about $76 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $112,580, and experienced aerospace engineers can clear $207,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $158K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,917/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 18.5% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $155,249 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.