Aerospace Engineers in California
Want to work as an Aerospace Engineers in California? Here’s what you need to know. Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
What do Aerospace Engineers Make in California?
For aerospace engineers working in California, the median annual wage is $143,860 per year (or about $69.16/hour).Earnings range from $102,380 at the 10th percentile to $224,660 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $102,380 | $49.22 |
| 25th percentile | $118,000 | $56.73 |
| Median (50th) | $143,860 | $69.16 |
| 75th percentile | $185,220 | $89.05 |
| 90th percentile | $224,660 | $108.01 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California relative to the national average — is 1.16, suggesting that aerospace engineers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, aerospace engineers earn a median of $63,328 per year ($30.45/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 131,754 aerospace engineers nationwide. In California alone, approximately 9,330 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 820 aerospace engineers.
Top California Metros for Aerospace Engineers
The metro areas below employ the most aerospace engineers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 6,090 | $143,860 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 840 | $167,340 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 750 | $132,320 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 630 | $127,900 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 210 | $160,000 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 130 | $129,230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 120 | $126,220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 120 | $145,860 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 90 | $128,750 |
Top States for Aerospace Engineers Employment
These states have the highest employment of aerospace engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 9,330 |
| Texas | 7,660 |
| Washington | 5,700 |
| Alabama | 5,570 |
| Colorado | 4,020 |
| Ohio | 3,770 |
| Maryland | 3,490 |
| Florida | 3,100 |
| Georgia | 3,060 |
| Virginia | 2,820 |
| New Mexico | 1,940 |
| Kansas | 1,900 |
| Arizona | 1,770 |
| New Jersey | 1,550 |
| Oklahoma | 1,550 |
| Connecticut | 1,170 |
| Utah | 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | 990 |
| Missouri | 840 |
| Pennsylvania | 820 |
Highest-Paying States for Aerospace Engineers
The highest-paying states for aerospace engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $175,350 |
| Washington | $158,600 |
| Maryland | $158,220 |
| Massachusetts | $152,210 |
| Colorado | $151,570 |
| Iowa | $150,010 |
| Minnesota | $147,940 |
| California | $143,860 |
| Georgia | $142,910 |
| Vermont | $140,520 |
Skills
Top aerospace engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for aerospace engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
- Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
- Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
- Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
- Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
- Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
- Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.
- Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates.
- Analyze project requests, proposals, or engineering data to determine feasibility, productibility, cost, or production time of aerospace or aeronautical products.
- Maintain records of performance reports for future reference.
- Diagnose performance problems by reviewing reports or documentation from customers or field engineers or by inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products.
- Direct aerospace research and development programs.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Thinking Creatively
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, C, C#, C++ In-demand technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, C
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Aeronautical Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like aerospace engineers include:
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Industrial Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
- Mechanical Engineers
Also Known As
Aerodynamicist, Aerodynamics Engineer, Aeronautical Design Engineer, Aeronautical Engineer, Aeronautical Project Engineer, Aeronautical Research Engineer, Aeronautical Test Engineer, Aerospace Design Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Aerospace Physiologist, Aerospace Programmable Logic Design Engineer, Aerospace Quality Engineer, Aerospace Stress Engineer, Aerospace Systems Engineer, Aircraft Design Engineer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2011.00
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