Engineering Tacoma, WA Pop. 219,346

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Tacoma, Washington

The median aerospace engineer salary in Tacoma, WA is $139,568 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 4.3% below the Washington state average.

City Median
$139,568
vs State Avg
$-6,344
vs National
+$12,688
Cost of Living
110%

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

Tacoma offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $139,568, which is $6,344 below the Washington state average of $145,912. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Tacoma pays above average for this role.

Tacoma's cost of living is 110% 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 Tacoma spans from $85,800 at the 10th percentile to $211,200 at the 90th percentile — a $125,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $88,000, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $203,500. With a population of 219,346, Tacoma is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Tacoma by Experience

In Tacoma, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $88,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $203,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$88,000
+$8,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$140,800
+$12,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$203,500
+$18,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tacoma, WA

Percentile Tacoma
10th Percentile $85,800
25th Percentile $110,000
Median (50th) $139,568
75th Percentile $176,000
90th Percentile $211,200

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$192,858
Pop. 151,854
Seattle, WA
$187,782
Pop. 737,015
Vancouver, WA
$129,418
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$116,730
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Tacoma

Education

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

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Tacoma

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Tacoma, WA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Tacoma

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Tacoma, WA? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Tacoma, Washington is $139,568 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $85,800 (10th percentile) to $211,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Tacoma? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $139,568, a aerospace engineer in Tacoma earns approximately $67 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tacoma compare to the Washington state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Tacoma's median aerospace engineer salary of $139,568 is 4.3% below the Washington state average of $145,912. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tacoma, WA? ▼
Tacoma has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $139,568 in Tacoma has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Tacoma? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Tacoma 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.