Engineering Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median aerospace engineer salary in Aberdeen, SD is $106,579 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$106,579
vs State Avg
$-5,075
vs National
$-20,301
Cost of Living
84%

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

Aberdeen offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $106,579, which is $5,075 below the South Dakota state average of $111,654. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Aberdeen's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $106,579 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,880 in an average-cost city. This makes Aberdeen an attractive option for aerospace engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Aberdeen spans from $65,520 at the 10th percentile to $161,280 at the 90th percentile — a $95,760 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,200, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $155,400. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $67,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $155,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,200
$-12,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$107,520
$-20,480 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$155,400
$-29,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Aberdeen, SD

Percentile Aberdeen
10th Percentile $65,520
25th Percentile $84,000
Median (50th) $106,579
75th Percentile $134,400
90th Percentile $161,280

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Aberdeen

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Aberdeen and the surrounding South Dakota 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 Aberdeen may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Aberdeen

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Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota is $106,579 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $65,520 (10th percentile) to $161,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $106,579, a aerospace engineer in Aberdeen earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median aerospace engineer salary of $106,579 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $111,654. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $106,579 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Aberdeen? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Aberdeen 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.