Average Aerospace Engineers Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Aerospace Engineers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area earn an impressive average annual salary of $164,450, significantly surpassing the national average of $141,460. This elevated compensation is often driven by the region's high demand for specialized technical talent and the presence of key industry players, necessitating competitive pay to attract and retain skilled professionals.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $164,450 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $238,710.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 210 Aerospace Engineers and a Location Quotient of 0.2, the job market in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, indicates a specialized niche rather than widespread abundance. While the concentration is below the national average, the presence of this workforce suggests ongoing, albeit focused, demand for these highly skilled professionals within the region's specific aerospace and technology sectors.
Salary Overview
The average Aerospace Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earns+16.3%above the national average.
$79.1
$3,163
$13,704
Aerospace Engineers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this localized segment is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Aerospace Engineers in a high-cost, high-demand area like San Francisco have experienced steady growth over the past four years. This trend would likely mirror national patterns of increasing compensation for specialized engineering roles, further influenced by regional economic factors and technological advancements.
Aerospace Engineers Salary Distribution in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Salary progression for Aerospace Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions will command lower salaries, while senior engineers with extensive project leadership and specialized expertise can expect compensation well above the average. The widening gap between lower and higher percentile salaries clearly signifies robust career advancement opportunities and the substantial rewards associated with accumulating experience in this field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $98,840 | $47.5 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $123,338 | $59.3 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $160,000 | $76.9 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $205,563 | $98.8 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $238,710 | $114.8 |
Detailed Aerospace Engineers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$164,450
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$164,450
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $164,450 in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the absolute salary is higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively on par with the national average, considering the local expenses. Therefore, relocation for a salary increase alone may not yield a significant boost in disposable income.
Job Market Context
210
Total Jobs
0.089
Per 1K Jobs
0.2
Location Quotient
At 0.20x, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has a notably lower concentration of Aerospace Engineers jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.
The Location Quotient (LQ) of 0.2 for Aerospace Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, indicates that this profession is less concentrated locally compared to the national average. This suggests that while opportunities exist, the market is not saturated, and employers may need to actively recruit to fill specialized roles. It points to a market where individual engineers might have a good degree of leverage, but the overall number of available positions is relatively limited.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Aerospace Engineers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Aerospace Engineers Salary | $164,540↑ 0% | 42 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Hiring Aerospace Engineerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Aerospace Engineers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median annual salary for a Aerospace Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $164,450. This typically ranges from $98,840 for entry-level positions to $238,710 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 16.3% higher than the national median of $141,460.
Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a lucrative place for Aerospace Engineerss?
Yes, but with caveats regarding cost of living.Aerospace Engineers in this region earn a notably higher average salary than the national average. However, the local cost of living is also at the national average, meaning the increased salary's purchasing power is comparable to national levels.
Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a good place to live for Aerospace Engineers?
The Cost of Living Index in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($164,540) and others.
How does the Aerospace Engineer salary in San Francisco compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Aerospace Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $164,450, which is $23,000 higher than the national average of $141,460.
What is the job market like for Aerospace Engineers in San Francisco?
The job market is specialized, with a lower concentration of Aerospace Engineers compared to the national average (LQ of 0.2), suggesting focused demand within specific industries rather than broad availability.
Does the high salary in San Francisco translate to higher purchasing power?
The average salary of $164,450 in San Francisco is offset by a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means the salary's purchasing power is comparable to the national average.
How many Aerospace Engineers are there in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area?
There are approximately 210 Aerospace Engineers employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 210 employees in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area with a job density of 0.089 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA