Aerospace Engineer Salary in Washington, DC
Aerospace Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $166,420 a year — 23% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $113,837 take-home, or $9,486 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median aerospace engineer salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$28,675
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,318
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,413
- District of Columbia income tax$11,177
- Take-home pay$113,837
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Aerospace Engineer pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,030 | $50.01 | $76,141 | $6,345 |
| 25th percentile | $132,510 | $63.71 | $93,542 | $7,795 |
| Median (50th) | $166,420 | $80.01 | $113,837 | $9,486 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $249,990+ | $120.19 | $164,895 | $13,741 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $166,420 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median aerospace engineer's $113,837 take-home pay has the buying power of $104,549 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.8× the national concentration of aerospace engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for aerospace engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #2 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $163,580 | $123,073 | $110,744 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $166,420 | $113,837 | $104,549 |
| 3 | Huntsville, AL | $131,090 | $94,577 | $101,617 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $134,570 | $103,245 | $100,150 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $163,280 | $109,790 | $96,675 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: aerospace engineers
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.3% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a aerospace engineer make in Washington, DC?
The median aerospace engineer salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $166,420 a year, or about $80.01 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $132,510 and $195,190.
What is a aerospace engineer’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $166,420 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $113,837 a year ($9,486 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $11,177 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a aerospace engineer?
Pay here is 23% above the national median of $134,960. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $104,549 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #2 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a aerospace engineer afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median aerospace engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Engineers, All Other — $151,340
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $140,000
- Mechanical Engineer — $126,990
- Electrical Engineer — $126,420
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $102,080
- Civil Engineer — $101,780
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $84,090