worthsay

Aerospace Engineering Salary in Washington: Is It a Good Career?

Washington · 2026 BLS salary data

Aerospace Engineering pay in Washington

The median wage is $158,370/yr — 17% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Washingtonis one of the highest-paying states (#2 of 41).

The numbers in Washington

Real BLS state-level figures for Aerospace Engineering.

Median salary
$158,370/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$130,560 – $181,460
National median
$134,960/yr
Employed in Washington
5,760

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Washington

Salary alone can mislead — Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
107
Nominal median
$158,370
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $148,009
State income tax
None

Washington's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #7 of 41, down from #2 on raw salary.

Washington levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do aerospace engineering professionals make in Washington?

The median annual wage is $158,370 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $130,560 and $181,460. That's 17% above the national median.

Is Washington a good state for aerospace engineering?

By raw pay, Washington is one of the highest-paying states (#2 of 41). Adjusted for cost of living (Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $148,009. Washington's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #7 of 41, down from #2 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are aerospace engineering professionals in demand in Washington?

About 5,760 people work in this field in Washington (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +6.1% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Aerospace Engineering nationally — Washington pay is 17% above the national median. See the full Aerospace Engineering career guide →

The verdict

Yes — aerospace engineering pays well from a bachelor's degree, with faster-than-average growth driven by space, defense, and aviation. It's a rigorous degree with geographically concentrated jobs, but a strong, prestigious choice for the technically inclined.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong pay from a bachelor's degree
  • Faster-than-average projected growth (space, defense)
  • Prestigious, cutting-edge work
  • Skills transfer to broader engineering
  • Riding the commercial-space boom

Cons

  • Rigorous, math- and physics-heavy degree
  • Jobs concentrated in specific regions
  • Some roles require security clearances/citizenship
  • Cyclical with defense and aerospace budgets
  • On-site work — limited remote options

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Strong math/physics students
  • People passionate about aviation or space
  • Those willing to relocate to industry hubs

✗ Probably not if…

  • People needing geographic flexibility
  • Those who dislike heavy math and physics

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Aerospace Engineering is worth it — titles link to the original threads.