Aerospace Engineer vs Actuary Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Aerospace Engineer
$126,293/yr median(+$4,769 · 3.9% more)
Higher pay
Aerospace Engineer
Median$126,293
Mean$131,559
10th %ile$85,586
25th %ile$102,100
75th %ile$156,298
90th %ile$184,321
Employed68K+
Actuary
Median$121,524
Mean$128,392
10th %ile$73,842
25th %ile$89,890
75th %ile$156,664
90th %ile$186,419
Employed27K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Aerospace Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $85,586 |
| 25th percentile | $102,100 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $126,293 |
| 75th percentile | $156,298 |
| 90th percentile | $184,321 |
Actuary
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,842 |
| 25th percentile | $89,890 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $121,524 |
| 75th percentile | $156,664 |
| 90th percentile | $186,419 |
Top Paying States
Aerospace Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $175,350 |
| 2 | Washington | $158,600 |
| 3 | Maryland | $158,220 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $152,210 |
| 5 | Colorado | $151,570 |
Actuary
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $153,340 |
| 2 | Washington | $153,260 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $148,220 |
| 4 | Alabama | $143,230 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $137,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Aerospace Engineer or Actuary?
- Aerospace Engineer pays more with a median salary of $126,293/year, which is 3.9% more than Actuary at $121,524/year.
- What is the salary difference between Aerospace Engineer and Actuary?
- The median salary difference is $4,769/year (3.9%).