Aerospace Engineers Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $167,340 +24.1% vs national
Median hourly $80.45
10th percentile $108,240
90th percentile $220,390
Employed locally 840
National median $134,830

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Aerospace Engineers
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $108,240
    25th
    $130,480
    50th (median)
    $167,340
    75th
    $191,880
    90th
    $220,390

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Aerospace Engineers salary vs area income 106% Median Aerospace Engineers salary is 6% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Aerospace Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $175,350
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $174,130
    Colorado Springs, CO $170,080
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $161,580
    Omaha, NE-IA $160,630
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $160,000

    Nearby metros — Aerospace Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $160,000
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $151,080
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $145,860
    California $143,860
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $143,860
    Decatur, AL $138,460

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer Hardware Engineers $197,090
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $179,050
    Electrical Engineers $186,920
    Mechanical Engineers $147,730
    Industrial Engineers $136,290
    Engineers, All Other $157,770

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Aerospace Engineers make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Aerospace Engineers in San Jose, CA is $80.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $122.54 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Aerospace Engineers salaries?

    The median Aerospace Engineers salary in San Jose, CA is 24.1% above the national median of $134,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Aerospace Engineers in San Jose?

    Entry-level Aerospace Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $108,240 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $130,480.