Average Aerospace Engineers Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Aerospace Engineers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area command an impressive average annual salary of $161,870. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $141,460, reflecting the region's robust aerospace industry and high demand for specialized engineering talent. The concentration of defense contractors, research institutions, and aerospace manufacturing facilities in Southern California directly influences this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $161,870 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 23.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $238,230.
- Outlook: The aerospace engineering job market in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim is notably robust, evidenced by a substantial local workforce of 6,090 professionals. With a Location Quotient of 2.21, the concentration of aerospace engineers is more than double the national average, indicating a strong and persistent demand for these roles within the region's economy.
Salary Overview
The average Aerospace Engineers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA earns+14.4%above the national average.
$77.8
$3,113
$13,489
Aerospace Engineers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that aerospace engineering salaries in Los Angeles have experienced consistent growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Factors such as technological advancements, increased defense spending, and the expansion of commercial space ventures likely contribute to upward pressure on compensation for skilled engineers in this dynamic sector.
Aerospace Engineers Salary Distribution in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Salary progression for Aerospace Engineers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, while seasoned professionals with extensive expertise and specialized skills can command salaries well into the upper percentiles. These increasing salary brackets reflect the growing value and responsibility associated with senior engineering roles and project leadership.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $104,680 | $50.3 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $121,403 | $58.4 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $143,860 | $69.2 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $202,338 | $97.3 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $238,230 | $114.5 |
Detailed Aerospace Engineers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$161,870
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$161,870
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $161,870 for Aerospace Engineers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that the nominal salary translates directly into purchasing power equivalent to the national standard, making the compensation highly competitive and sustainable within the local economic landscape.
Job Market Context
6,090
Total Jobs
0.982
Per 1K Jobs
2.21
Location Quotient
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA has 2.2x 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.
The Location Quotient of 2.21 for Aerospace Engineers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim signifies a highly concentrated job market. This indicates that the region is a significant hub for aerospace talent, with job opportunities being 2.21 times more prevalent than the national average relative to the overall workforce, suggesting a competitive yet abundant environment for skilled professionals.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Aerospace Engineers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Aerospace Engineers Salary | $134,560↓ 17% | 49 mi |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA Aerospace Engineers Salary | $132,490↓ 18% | 55 mi |
Comparing salaries near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Hiring Aerospace Engineerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Aerospace Engineers make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median annual salary for a Aerospace Engineers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $161,870. This typically ranges from $104,680 for entry-level positions to $238,230 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 14.4% higher than the national median of $141,460.
Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a lucrative place for Aerospace Engineerss?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative place for Aerospace Engineers.Aerospace Engineers in this region earn an average of $161,870 annually, significantly above the national average, while the cost of living remains at the national average.
Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a good place to live for Aerospace Engineers?
The Cost of Living Index in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($134,560) and Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA.
What is the average salary for an Aerospace Engineer in Los Angeles?
The average annual salary for an Aerospace Engineer in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area is $161,870.
How does the Los Angeles salary compare to the national average?
The average salary in Los Angeles ($161,870) is approximately $20,410 higher than the national average salary for Aerospace Engineers ($141,460).
Is the cost of living high in Los Angeles for Aerospace Engineers?
The cost of living in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim is at the national average (index of 100), meaning the high salary offers strong purchasing power.
How concentrated is the Aerospace Engineer job market in Los Angeles?
The job market is highly concentrated, with a Location Quotient of 2.21, indicating more than double the national average presence of Aerospace Engineers.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 6,090 employees in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area with a job density of 0.982 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Aerospace Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA