Aerospace Engineer.
Los Angeles.
$141,000
median salary, 23% above the national average
$108,000 to $187,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Los Angeles is 18% more expensive than the national average. For Aerospace Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $141,000, with the full range spanning $108,000 to $187,000. Security clearance level and employer type drive the widest variance. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $127,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$92,000
to $113,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$120,000
to $148,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$155,000
to $183,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$176,000
to $219,000
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
$141,000
Equity
$20,000
Bonus
$13,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $177,000
How Los Angeles compares
Los Angeles, CA
$141,000
Cost of living: 18% above average
National Average
$115,000
Los Angeles is $26,000 above
Aerospace Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Los Angeles
What you should know
The Aerospace Engineer landscape in Los Angeles is not what most salary sites will tell you. Los Angeles blends a thriving entertainment industry with a growing tech and startup ecosystem, often called Silicon Beach. The city's diverse economy spans aerospace, healthcare, fashion, and gaming. LA offers strong salaries that, while below San Francisco levels, pair with a broader lifestyle appeal and lower housing costs relative to the Bay Area. 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 Los Angeles, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 18% 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: california's 13.3% top state income tax rate applies to LA earners as well. There is no city income tax, but the high state rate makes take home pay lower than cities in no income tax states. When someone quotes you $141,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers. The range for Aerospace Engineers in Los Angeles runs from $108,000 to $187,000. 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 AI/ML Data Analyst in Los Angeles earns $142,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Los Angeles is Chief AI Officer at $377,000
Common questions.
Aerospace Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Los Angeles
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