Engineering Richmond, VA Pop. 226,610

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Richmond, Virginia

The median aerospace engineer salary in Richmond, VA is $126,880 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 3.8% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$126,880
vs State Avg
$-5,075
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

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

Richmond offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $126,880, which is $5,075 below the Virginia state average of $131,955. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Richmond pays above average for this role.

Richmond's cost of living is 100% 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 Richmond spans from $78,000 at the 10th percentile to $192,000 at the 90th percentile — a $114,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $80,000, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $185,000. With a population of 226,610, Richmond is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Richmond by Experience

In Richmond, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $80,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $185,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$80,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$128,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$185,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Richmond, VA

Percentile Richmond
10th Percentile $78,000
25th Percentile $100,000
Median (50th) $126,880
75th Percentile $160,000
90th Percentile $192,000

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$167,482
Pop. 238,643
Virginia Beach, VA
$129,418
Pop. 449,974
Chesapeake, VA
$124,342
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$121,805
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Richmond

Education

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

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Richmond

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Richmond, VA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Richmond

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Richmond, VA? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Richmond, Virginia is $126,880 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $78,000 (10th percentile) to $192,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Richmond? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $126,880, a aerospace engineer in Richmond earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Richmond compare to the Virginia state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Richmond's median aerospace engineer salary of $126,880 is 3.8% below the Virginia state average of $131,955. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Richmond, VA? ▼
Richmond has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $126,880 in Richmond has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Richmond? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Richmond 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.