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Average Aerospace Engineers Salary in Virginia

Aerospace Engineers in Virginia command an impressive average annual salary of $143,050, surpassing the national average of $141,460. This elevated compensation is likely driven by Virginia's robust aerospace sector, specialized industry demands, and a highly skilled workforce concentrated within the state.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $143,050 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 9.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $202,260.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 2,820 Aerospace Engineers and a Location Quotient of 1.57, Virginia demonstrates a significant concentration of talent in this field, indicating a robust and potentially growing job market. The jobs per 1,000 workers figure further suggests a healthy demand for these specialized professionals within the state's economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$143,050

The average Aerospace Engineers in Virginia earns+1.1%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$68.8

Weekly

$2,751

Monthly

$11,921

Aerospace Engineers Salary Distribution in Virginia

Salary progression for Aerospace Engineers in Virginia typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive expertise and specialized skills can command salaries well into the upper percentiles. These percentile gaps clearly signify substantial career progression and earning potential throughout an Aerospace Engineer's career.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$90,730$43.6
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$107,288$51.6
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$132,160$63.5
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$178,813$86
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$202,260$97.2

Detailed Aerospace Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$143,050

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$141,075

Adjusted for COL (101.4)

The average annual salary of $143,050 in Virginia presents a favorable financial outlook when considered against the state's Cost of Living Index of 101.4. This index, only slightly above the national average of 100, suggests that the higher nominal salary offers good purchasing power, allowing Aerospace Engineers to maintain a comfortable standard of living.

Job Market Context

2,820

Total Jobs

0.695

Per 1K Jobs

1.57

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Virginia has 1.6x 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.

Virginia's Location Quotient of 1.57 signifies a notable concentration of Aerospace Engineers compared to the national average. This suggests that the job market in Virginia is more specialized and potentially more competitive for these roles, with a higher proportion of the workforce engaged in this critical industry.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Aerospace Engineers

CitySalaryDist.
Richmond, VA Aerospace Engineers Salary$127,430↓ 11%41 mi

Comparing salaries near Virginia

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Aerospace Engineers make in Virginia?

The median annual salary for a Aerospace Engineers in Virginia is $143,050. This typically ranges from $90,730 for entry-level positions to $202,260 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Virginia is 1.1% higher than the national median of $141,460.

Is Virginia a lucrative place for Aerospace Engineers?

Yes, Virginia is a lucrative state for Aerospace Engineers.The average salary of $143,050 significantly exceeds the national average, and the cost of living is only marginally higher, indicating strong earning potential.

Is Virginia a good place to live for Aerospace Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Virginia is 101.4. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Virginia?

Some top paying nearby cities include Richmond, VA ($127,430) and others.

How does Virginia's Aerospace Engineer salary compare to the national average?

Aerospace Engineers in Virginia earn an average of $143,050 annually, which is higher than the national average of $141,460.

What is the concentration of Aerospace Engineers in Virginia?

Virginia has a Location Quotient of 1.57 for Aerospace Engineers, indicating that the profession is 57% more concentrated in Virginia than the national average.

How does the cost of living in Virginia affect an Aerospace Engineer's salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 101.4, Virginia is only slightly more expensive than the national average. This means the higher average salary of $143,050 provides good real purchasing power.

What is the total number of Aerospace Engineers in Virginia?

There are approximately 2,820 Aerospace Engineers employed in Virginia.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,820 employees in the Virginia area with a job density of 0.695 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Aerospace Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Virginia