Aerospace Engineer Salary in Tucson, AZ
Aerospace Engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $106,760 a year — 21% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $81,475 take-home, or $6,790 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median aerospace engineer salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,657
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,619
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,548
- Arizona income tax$2,460
- Take-home pay$81,475
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Aerospace Engineer pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,250 | $37.62 | $62,131 | $5,178 |
| 25th percentile | $96,700 | $46.49 | $74,650 | $6,221 |
| Median (50th) | $106,760 | $51.33 | $81,475 | $6,790 |
| 75th percentile | $135,310 | $65.05 | $100,576 | $8,381 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,990 | $81.73 | $123,413 | $10,284 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $106,760 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median aerospace engineer's $81,475 take-home pay has the buying power of $84,085 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tucson, AZ has 10.1× 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
Tucson, AZ ranks #25 of 28 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder, CO | $167,160 | $118,873 | $112,995 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $143,020 | $105,869 | $112,719 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $166,980 | $117,563 | $112,515 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $163,580 | $123,073 | $110,744 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $191,260 | $126,367 | $109,302 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $181,630 | $120,387 | $109,023 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, CO | $151,980 | $109,166 | $108,399 |
| 8 | Wichita, KS | $130,720 | $94,119 | $105,815 |
| 25 | Tucson, AZ | $106,760 | $81,475 | $84,085 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 28 metros →
Aerospace Engineer salaries elsewhere in Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $130,470
Frequently asked questions
How much does a aerospace engineer make in Tucson, AZ?
The median aerospace engineer salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $106,760 a year, or about $51.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $96,700 and $135,310.
What is a aerospace engineer’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $106,760 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $81,475 a year ($6,790 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,460 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a aerospace engineer?
Pay here is 21% below the national median of $134,960. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $84,085 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #25 of 28 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a aerospace engineer afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median aerospace engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Electrical Engineer — $117,470
- Mechanical Engineer — $99,750
- Industrial Engineer — $95,700
- Civil Engineer — $81,490
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $75,460