Engineering Raleigh, NC Pop. 467,665

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Raleigh, North Carolina

The median aerospace engineer salary in Raleigh, NC is $124,342 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 6.5% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$124,342
vs State Avg
+$7,612
vs National
$-2,538
Cost of Living
98%

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

Raleigh offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $124,342, which is $7,612 above the North Carolina state average of $116,730. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Raleigh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Raleigh's cost of living is 98% 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 Raleigh spans from $76,440 at the 10th percentile to $188,160 at the 90th percentile — a $111,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $78,400, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $181,300. With a population of 467,665, Raleigh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Raleigh by Experience

In Raleigh, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $78,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $181,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,400
$-1,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$125,440
$-2,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$181,300
$-3,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Raleigh, NC

Percentile Raleigh
10th Percentile $76,440
25th Percentile $98,000
Median (50th) $124,342
75th Percentile $156,800
90th Percentile $188,160

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$124,342
Pop. 874,579
Durham, NC
$120,536
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$111,654
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$109,117
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Raleigh

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Raleigh 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 Raleigh may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Raleigh

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Raleigh, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Raleigh

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Raleigh, NC? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Raleigh, North Carolina is $124,342 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $76,440 (10th percentile) to $188,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Raleigh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $124,342, a aerospace engineer in Raleigh earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Raleigh compare to the North Carolina state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Raleigh's median aerospace engineer salary of $124,342 is 6.5% above the North Carolina state average of $116,730. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Raleigh, NC? ▼
Raleigh has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $124,342 in Raleigh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Raleigh? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Raleigh 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.