17 Series · SOC 17-3021

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$82,890
Median / year
$125,160
Top 10% earn
+8.1%
Growth '23–'33
11,280
US workers

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $82,890 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $82,890, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $59,050 (10th percentile) to $125,160 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 11,280 US workers. Washington pays the most ($125,160), since pay varies by state and metro area.

17 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
Share: Post LinkedIn

The pay verdict

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $82,890, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 76% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Architecture and Engineering, it ranks #20 of 36 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 8.1% by 2033.

$82,890
Median annual wage
Top 24%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#20 of 36
in Architecture and Engineering
2.1×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Washington at $125,160. Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians (SOC 17-3021) pays a national median of $82,890 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $59,050 at the 10th percentile to $125,160 at the 90th, with a mean of $91,310 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 11,280 Americans work in this occupation across 24 reporting states and 33 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +8.1% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as much faster than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 900 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Associate's degree. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 2 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.5 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Washington pays the highest state median at $125,160, which is +51% above the national figure. The top metro is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $125,160 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 11,280 jobs Median $82,890/yr

Median Salary

$82,890

per year

Median Hourly

$39.85/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$91,310

average

Employment

11,280

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$82,890 Top 24% higher than 76% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Below this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 17-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 24 17-series occupations with growth data, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians sits on the faster-growing side at +8.1% growth and $82,890 median pay.

Among 24 17-series occupations with growth data, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians sits on the faster-growing side at +8.1% growth and $82,890 median pay. Scatter plot of 24 data points. $0$50000$100000$150000$200000 -10%-5%0%5%10%15% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 24 17-series occupations with growth data, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians sits on the faster-growing side at +8.1% growth and $82,890 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+8.1%

Much faster than average

Annual Openings

900

per year (projected)

Typical Education

Associate's degree

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

2/100K

Injury Rate

0.5/100

Danger Index

3/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Critical Thinking 3.9
Reading Comprehension 3.8
Operations Monitoring 3.8
Quality Control Analysis 3.8
Active Listening 3.6
Speaking 3.6
Complex Problem Solving 3.5
Troubleshooting 3.3
Judgment and Decision Making 3.3
Writing 3.1

Knowledge Areas

Mechanical 4.5
Engineering and Technology 4.3
Mathematics 3.9
Production and Processing 3.8
Customer and Personal Service 3.7
English Language 3.4
Administrative 3.4
Physics 3.3
Computers and Electronics 3.3
Education and Training 3.0

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
  • ▸ Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
  • ▸ Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
  • ▸ Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
  • ▸ Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
  • ▸ Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
  • ▸ Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.
  • ▸ Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
  • ▸ Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
  • ▸ Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$59,050$67,680$82,890$111,280$125,160
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$28.39$32.54$39.85$53.50$60.18
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$59,050

25th Percentile

$67,680

Median

$82,890

75th Percentile

$111,280

90th Percentile

$125,160

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Washington $125,160 2. Alaska $105,780 3. Nevada $102,980 4. California $99,000 5. Colorado $98,990

Lowest Paying States

20. Oklahoma $45,590 21. Pennsylvania $60,770 22. Alabama $62,130 23. Indiana $62,520 24. New York $64,480
View all 24 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Washington $125,160 +51% above national
2 Alaska $105,780 +28% above national
3 Nevada $102,980 +24% above national
4 California $99,000 +19% above national
5 Colorado $98,990 +19% above national
6 Maryland $91,820 +11% above national
7 Oregon $81,100 2% below national
8 Virginia $81,040 2% below national
9 Massachusetts $79,420 4% below national
10 Connecticut $79,410 4% below national
11 Ohio $79,310 4% below national
12 Florida $78,560 5% below national
13 Kansas $78,350 5% below national
14 Texas $78,350 5% below national
15 Utah $76,680 7% below national
16 Arizona $75,230 9% below national
17 Minnesota $71,240 14% below national
18 Michigan $69,840 16% below national
19 New Mexico $66,460 20% below national
20 New York $64,480 22% below national
21 Indiana $62,520 25% below national
22 Alabama $62,130 25% below national
23 Pennsylvania $60,770 27% below national
24 Oklahoma $45,590 45% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $125,160 2. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $123,350 3. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $119,980 4. Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $102,980 5. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $98,940

Lowest Paying Metros

29. Huntsville, AL $62,130 30. Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $65,240 31. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $66,220 32. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $72,550 33. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $74,320
View all 33 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $125,160 +51% above national
2 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $123,350 +49% above national
3 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $119,980 +45% above national
4 Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $102,980 +24% above national
5 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $98,940 +19% above national
6 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $98,800 +19% above national
7 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $92,360 +11% above national
8 Bakersfield-Delano, CA $88,410 +7% above national
9 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $85,320 +3% above national
10 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $83,260 same as national
11 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $83,260 same as national
12 Colorado Springs, CO $83,250 same as national
13 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $82,490 same as national
14 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $81,820 1% below national
15 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $81,100 2% below national
16 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $79,530 4% below national
17 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $79,420 4% below national
18 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $79,310 4% below national
19 Akron, OH $78,760 5% below national
20 Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $78,590 5% below national
21 Wichita, KS $78,350 5% below national
22 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $78,080 6% below national
23 Cleveland, OH $77,260 7% below national
24 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $76,920 7% below national
25 Ogden, UT $76,760 7% below national
26 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $76,180 8% below national
27 Tucson, AZ $75,230 9% below national
28 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $75,060 9% below national
29 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $74,320 10% below national
30 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $72,550 12% below national
31 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $66,220 20% below national
32 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $65,240 21% below national
33 Huntsville, AL $62,130 25% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 17 (architecture and engineering) with comparable pay and career paths.

Aerospace Engineers

SOC 17-2011

Agricultural Engineers

SOC 17-2021

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

SOC 17-1011

Architectural and Civil Drafters

SOC 17-3011

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

SOC 17-2031
Compare Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians make? ▼
The median annual salary for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is $82,890 ($39.85/hour). The salary range spans from $59,050 at the 10th percentile to $125,160 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians the most? ▼
Washington pays the highest median salary for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians at $125,160/year, which is +51% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is Associate's degree.
How dangerous is being a Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians? ▼
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 2 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.5 per 100 workers.
Is Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians a good career? ▼
Employment for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average. About 900 openings are projected each year.
How does Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians pay vary by state? ▼
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Washington at $125,160/year, while New York pays the least at $64,480/year. BLS data covers 24 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $125,160/year. BLS reports wage data for 33 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $111,280/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Washington leads at $125,160/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.