Aerospace Engineer.
San Antonio.
$108,000
median salary, 6% below the national average
$82,000 to $142,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Aerospace Engineer salary in San Antonio is $108,000, 6% below the national average. Entry level starts near $82,000. Experienced professionals push past $142,000. San Antonio has a major military presence with Joint Base San Antonio and a growing cybersecurity hub. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $97,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$70,000
to $86,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$92,000
to $113,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$119,000
to $140,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$135,000
to $167,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $27,000 to the total package.
Base
$108,000
Equity
$15,000
Bonus
$10,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $135,000
How San Antonio compares
San Antonio, TX
$108,000
Cost of living: 9% below average
National Average
$115,000
San Antonio is $7,000 below
Aerospace Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in San Antonio
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Aerospace Engineer roles in San Antonio, here is what you are walking into. San Antonio has a major military presence with Joint Base San Antonio and a growing cybersecurity hub. The city is home to USAA headquarters and a cluster of healthcare systems. The extremely affordable cost of living and no state income tax make it attractive for professionals seeking purchasing power. 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 San Antonio, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
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: texas has no state income tax. San Antonio has no city income tax. The zero tax environment and very affordable housing create exceptional purchasing power relative to most metros. When someone quotes you $108,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage the cybersecurity corridor. San Antonio's NSA facility and military cyber operations drive demand for cleared security professionals at premium rates. The range for Aerospace Engineers in San Antonio runs from $82,000 to $142,000. 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 Full Stack Developer in San Antonio earns $109,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in San Antonio is Distinguished Engineer at $303,000
Common questions.
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