Engineering Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median aerospace engineer salary in Durham, NC is $120,536 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$120,536
vs State Avg
+$3,806
vs National
$-6,344
Cost of Living
95%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $120,536, which is $3,806 above the North Carolina state average of $116,730. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Durham spans from $74,100 at the 10th percentile to $182,400 at the 90th percentile — a $108,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $76,000, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $175,750. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $76,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $175,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$76,000
$-4,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$121,600
$-6,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$175,750
$-9,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $74,100
25th Percentile $95,000
Median (50th) $120,536
75th Percentile $152,000
90th Percentile $182,400

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$124,342
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$124,342
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$111,654
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$109,117
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Durham

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AerodynamicsCATIA/CADStructural AnalysisMATLABPropulsion SystemsFEA

Job Outlook

Nationally, aerospace engineer employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Durham

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Durham

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $120,536 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $74,100 (10th percentile) to $182,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $120,536, a aerospace engineer in Durham earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Durham's median aerospace engineer salary of $120,536 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $116,730. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $120,536 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Durham? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Aerodynamics, CATIA/CAD, Structural Analysis, MATLAB. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.