Mechanical Engineer 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(+$24,715 · 23.4% more)
Mechanical Engineer
Median$105,416
Mean$110,678
10th %ile$72,421
25th %ile$86,092
75th %ile$130,180
90th %ile$156,351
Employed291K+
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
Mechanical Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $72,421 |
| 25th percentile | $86,092 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $105,416 |
| 75th percentile | $130,180 |
| 90th percentile | $156,351 |
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
Mechanical Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $157,710 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| 3 | California | $130,900 |
| 4 | Delaware | $125,130 |
| 5 | Colorado | $124,430 |
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, Mechanical Engineer or Aerospace Engineer?
- Aerospace Engineer pays more with a median salary of $130,131/year, which is 23.4% more than Mechanical Engineer at $105,416/year.
- What is the salary difference between Mechanical Engineer and Aerospace Engineer?
- The median salary difference is $24,715/year (23.4%).
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