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.
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 #12 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 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $166,420 | $113,837 | $104,549 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 28 metros →
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 #12 of 28 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
- Nuclear Engineer — $180,360
- Marine Engineer and Naval Architect — $159,700
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $159,480
- Engineers, All Other — $151,340
- Materials Engineer — $140,640
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $140,000
- Chemical Engineer — $132,820
- Mechanical Engineer — $126,990
- Electrical Engineer — $126,420
- Environmental Engineer — $120,580
- Industrial Engineer — $117,600
- Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer — $110,390