Mechanical Engineer vs Aerospace Engineer Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Aerospace Engineer
$126,293/yr median(+$23,392 · 22.7% more)
Mechanical Engineer
Median$102,901
Mean$107,612
10th %ile$69,205
25th %ile$83,337
75th %ile$127,130
90th %ile$150,144
Employed286K+
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+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Mechanical Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,205 |
| 25th percentile | $83,337 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $102,901 |
| 75th percentile | $127,130 |
| 90th percentile | $150,144 |
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 |
Top Paying States
Mechanical Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $141,490 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $130,000 |
| 3 | Alaska | $129,990 |
| 4 | California | $126,370 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $122,670 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Mechanical Engineer or Aerospace Engineer?
- Aerospace Engineer pays more with a median salary of $126,293/year, which is 22.7% more than Mechanical Engineer at $102,901/year.
- What is the salary difference between Mechanical Engineer and Aerospace Engineer?
- The median salary difference is $23,392/year (22.7%).
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