How much does an aerospace engineer make in California?
$157,600a year
Median yearly pay for aerospace engineers in California. That is $75.78 an hour or $13,140 a month.
- Hourly
- $75.78
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 41
- Jobs in the state
- 9,170
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $104,400Median: $157,600Highest 10%: $220,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $104,400 | $50.18 | |
| 25th | $129,000 | $62.02 | |
| Median | $157,600 | $75.78 | |
| 75th | $193,100 | $92.82 | |
| 90th | $220,700 | $106.09 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $191,300 |
| San Jose, CA | $181,600 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $163,300 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $135,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $135,000 |
| Sacramento, CA | $132,200 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $130,900 |
| Riverside, CA | $129,500 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $128,700 |
| Oxnard, CA | $128,700 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for aerospace engineers.
| 1. Minnesota | $159,100 |
| 2. Washington | $158,400 |
| 3. California | $157,600 |
| 4. District of Columbia | $157,600 |
| 5. Maryland | $156,800 |
| 6. Colorado | $156,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an aerospace engineer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $75.78 ($157,600 a year).
Do aerospace engineers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $157,600 against $135,000 nationally, 17% more.
Where does California rank for aerospace engineer pay?
California ranks 3 of 41 states.
Which city in California pays aerospace engineers the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $191,300 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.