Aerospace Engineer.
Boston.
$163,000
median salary, 21% above the national average
$127,000 to $210,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Aerospace Engineer pay in Boston ranges from $127,000 to $210,000 in 2026. The median is $163,000, 21% above the national average. Boston's job market is powered by world class universities, a thriving biotech corridor, and established finance and healthcare sectors. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Aerospace Engineer in Boston, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $149,470 for Aerospace Engineers (SOC 17-2011) in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, based on 960 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$89,750
25th percentile
$98,850
Median
$149,470
75th percentile
$182,370
90th percentile
$217,840
Workers surveyed
960
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Aerospace Engineers (SOC 17-2011) rather than Aerospace Engineer specifically. The Bostonrange at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 17-2011Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $147,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$106,000
to $130,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$139,000
to $171,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$179,000
to $212,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$204,000
to $253,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $41,000 to the total package.
Base
$163,000
Equity
$23,000
Bonus
$15,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $204,000
How Boston compares.
Boston, MA
$163,000
Cost of living: 22% above average
National Average
$135,000
Boston is $28,000 above
Aerospace Engineer salary by city.
Salary by role in Boston.
What you should know.
Before you negotiate an Aerospace Engineer offer in Boston, understand the terrain. Boston's job market is powered by world class universities, a thriving biotech corridor, and established finance and healthcare sectors. The Kendall Square area is one of the most concentrated biotech hubs globally. Tech salaries in Boston are competitive with West Coast markets, particularly for roles that intersect with life sciences, AI, and robotics. Security clearance level and employer type drive the widest variance. Defense contractors pay 10 to 20% premiums for TS/SCI clearances. Specialization in propulsion, avionics, or spacecraft systems commands higher compensation than structural analysis. The growing commercial space sector is pushing salaries upward across all levels.
Junior aerospace engineers start at $88,000 to $100,000. Senior engineers reach $115,000 to $152,000 after six to eight years. Principal engineers and engineering directors earn $155,000 to $210,000, with chief engineers at major programs exceeding $230,000. In Boston, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 22% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Defense contractors offer 8 to 15% annual bonuses and retention bonuses of $10,000 to $30,000 for cleared engineers. Commercial space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin add equity packages. Many roles include relocation assistance and clearance processing support. And on the tax side: massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax on most earnings, plus a 4% surtax on income above $1 million. There is no city income tax in Boston, keeping the total burden moderate. When someone quotes you $163,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize specialized credentials or advanced degrees. Boston employers, especially in biotech and finance, place a premium on educational pedigree and certifications. The range for Aerospace Engineers in Boston runs from $127,000 to $210,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Machine Learning Engineer in Boston earns $162,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Boston is CTO at $381,000
Common questions.
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