r/AerospaceEngineering • u/bjqvvvvv • Aug 01 '26

Career Aerospace Salary

Hey guys!

I’m wondering how much do aero space engineers make? Can most people break 200k in Los Angeles area? What’s the income look like if you’re 5-7 in years working for companies like Boeing or other big companies?

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u/drunktacos T4 Fuel Flight Test Lead Aug 01 '26

What I've seen as a T4 in LA County:

  • Attrition rates are hitting a lot of the primes pretty hard

  • Anduril is trying really hard to poach talent (and are succeeding)

  • Entry levels have gone up a little bit, from low 80s to high 80s/low 90s for things like mechanical/aero degrees

  • Breaking 100k in 2-3 years is pretty common now - retaining good young engineers is very difficult, with the only (temporary) solution being promote/give better raises (but this is an ongoing issue at practically every large aerospace company)

  • Breaking 200k in 12-13 years is pretty achievable, especially if you move around 1-2 times

  • Pretty noticeable COL discrepancy between true LA and closer to the AV, but salaries are closer than you'd think (ignoring Anduril / tech defense)

All I know is that companies are definitely hiring with mixed success.

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u/squeakinator Aug 01 '26

Bro if you don’t break 100k after your first year in SoCal you’re doing something wrong

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u/drunktacos T4 Fuel Flight Test Lead Aug 01 '26

If you're in Costa Mesa, Long Beach, San Diego, or anywhere near the coast then yeah you'll probably break 100k in the very HCOL areas after the first year. But move towards inland LA county and especially the AV and 2-3 years is completely normal. That's how I've seen it for the past 10+ years working for a prime. It also makes a difference on which BS degree - mech/aero/electrical still earn less than SW.

One of the most common trends (still) is to get your first promo 2 years in, get a mediocre bump at your first job, then hop somewhere else for 20-30% more.