Aerospace Engineer.
Arlington.
$143,000
median salary, 24% above the national average
$110,000 to $189,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Aerospace Engineers actually make in Arlington: $110,000 at the 25th percentile, $143,000 at the median, and $189,000 at the 75th. That is 24% above the national average. Arlington is the heart of the DC defense and intelligence corridor, home to the Pentagon, DARPA, and hundreds of government contractors. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $129,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$93,000
to $114,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$122,000
to $150,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$157,000
to $186,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$179,000
to $222,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $36,000 to the total package.
Base
$143,000
Equity
$20,000
Bonus
$13,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $179,000
How Arlington compares
Arlington, VA
$143,000
Cost of living: 22% above average
National Average
$115,000
Arlington is $28,000 above
Aerospace Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Arlington
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Aerospace Engineer roles in Arlington, here is what you are walking into. Arlington is the heart of the DC defense and intelligence corridor, home to the Pentagon, DARPA, and hundreds of government contractors. The concentration of cleared tech jobs makes it one of the highest-paying metros for cybersecurity and cloud engineering. Amazon's HQ2 has brought a wave of commercial tech hiring. Security clearance level and employer type drive the widest variance. Defense contractors pay 10 to 20% premiums for TS/SCI clearances. Specialization in propulsion, avionics, or spacecraft systems commands higher compensation than structural analysis. The growing commercial space sector is pushing salaries upward across all levels.
Junior aerospace engineers start at $88,000 to $100,000. Senior engineers reach $115,000 to $152,000 after six to eight years. Principal engineers and engineering directors earn $155,000 to $210,000, with chief engineers at major programs exceeding $230,000. In Arlington, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 22% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Defense contractors offer 8 to 15% annual bonuses and retention bonuses of $10,000 to $30,000 for cleared engineers. Commercial space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin add equity packages. Many roles include relocation assistance and clearance processing support. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Arlington has no additional city income tax. Proximity to DC means many residents compare against DC and Maryland tax rates. When someone quotes you $143,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: A security clearance is your strongest asset. Cleared professionals in Arlington earn 20 to 30% premiums over non-cleared equivalents. The range for Aerospace Engineers in Arlington runs from $110,000 to $189,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A IT Project Manager in Arlington earns $142,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Arlington is Distinguished Engineer at $386,000
Common questions.
Aerospace Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Arlington
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.