Data Scientist vs Aerospace Engineer Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Aerospace Engineer
$130,131/yr median(+$22,850 · 21.3% more)
Data Scientist
Median$107,281
Mean$113,687
10th %ile$66,363
25th %ile$82,902
75th %ile$138,125
90th %ile$167,412
Employed262K+
Higher pay
Aerospace Engineer
Median$130,131
Mean$134,024
10th %ile$87,598
25th %ile$103,253
75th %ile$159,750
90th %ile$187,400
Employed67K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Data Scientist
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $66,363 |
| 25th percentile | $82,902 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $107,281 |
| 75th percentile | $138,125 |
| 90th percentile | $167,412 |
Aerospace Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $87,598 |
| 25th percentile | $103,253 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $130,131 |
| 75th percentile | $159,750 |
| 90th percentile | $187,400 |
Top Paying States
Data Scientist
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $163,350 |
| 2 | California | $141,590 |
| 3 | Maryland | $136,370 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $135,280 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $131,750 |
Aerospace Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $159,060 |
| 2 | Washington | $158,370 |
| 3 | California | $157,620 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $157,600 |
| 5 | Maryland | $156,750 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Data Scientist or Aerospace Engineer?
- Aerospace Engineer pays more with a median salary of $130,131/year, which is 21.3% more than Data Scientist at $107,281/year.
- What is the salary difference between Data Scientist and Aerospace Engineer?
- The median salary difference is $22,850/year (21.3%).
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