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Average Aerospace Engineers Salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Aerospace Engineers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX area earn an average annual salary of $130,550. This figure is notably below the national average of $141,460, suggesting that while Houston is a significant hub, specific market dynamics and potentially a slightly lower cost of living compared to other high-paying regions might influence compensation.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $130,550 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $187,840.
  • Outlook: The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metropolitan area supports a robust workforce of approximately 2,600 Aerospace Engineers. With a Location Quotient of 1.81, this region demonstrates a concentration of these professionals significantly above the national average, indicating strong demand and a specialized job market for aerospace talent.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$130,550

The average Aerospace Engineers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX earns-7.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$62.8

Weekly

$2,511

Monthly

$10,879

Aerospace Engineers Salary Distribution in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Salary progression for Aerospace Engineers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior engineers with specialized skills and extensive project management experience can command salaries in the higher percentiles, reflecting a clear career growth trajectory within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$78,610$37.8
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$97,913$47.1
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$126,690$60.9
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$163,188$78.5
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$187,840$90.3

Detailed Aerospace Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$130,550

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$130,550

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $130,550 in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, is particularly attractive given the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average. This means that the nominal salary holds its purchasing power effectively, offering a stable financial standing without the premium often associated with higher cost-of-living areas.

Job Market Context

2,600

Total Jobs

0.801

Per 1K Jobs

1.81

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX has 1.8x the national concentration of Aerospace Engineers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

A Location Quotient of 1.81 signifies that Aerospace Engineers are more than 80% more concentrated in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, than in the average U.S. location. This high concentration suggests a mature and specialized market, indicating a competitive environment for job seekers but also a wealth of opportunities and potential for collaboration within the industry.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Aerospace Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Aerospace Engineers make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?

The median annual salary for a Aerospace Engineers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $130,550. This typically ranges from $78,610 for entry-level positions to $187,840 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is 7.7% lower than the national median of $141,460.

Is Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX a lucrative place for Aerospace Engineers?

Yes, with caveats.While the average salary is slightly below the national average, the strong concentration of jobs (LQ of 1.81) and a national average cost of living make it a financially stable and opportunity-rich environment for Aerospace Engineers.

Is Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX a good place to live for Aerospace Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the Houston Aerospace Engineer salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Aerospace Engineers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, is $130,550, which is approximately $10,910 lower than the national average of $141,460.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) for Aerospace Engineers in Houston?

An LQ of 1.81 means that Aerospace Engineers are 81% more concentrated in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands area compared to the national average, indicating a strong presence and demand for these professionals.

How does the cost of living in Houston affect the Aerospace Engineer salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Houston's cost of living matches the national average. This means the $130,550 salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it relatively stable.

What is the total number of Aerospace Engineers in the Houston area?

The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metropolitan area employs approximately 2,600 Aerospace Engineers, reflecting a substantial local workforce in this specialized field.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,600 employees in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX area with a job density of 0.801 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.