US
Tampa, FL
Florida salary market
$135K
Avg / Year
Near national
vs National
150
Employment
$11.2K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Tampa, FL (2026)

The Aerospace Engineer salary in Tampa, FL for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Tampa, FL market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Tampa, FL city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$135K
per year
Entry Level
$86.2K
starting range
Senior Level
$159K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$137K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$11.2K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$61
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Aerospace Engineer Salary Overview in Tampa, FL

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Aerospace Engineer pay in Tampa, FL at about $134,776 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $80,810.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $191,010.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fl metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.

If you’re comparing Aerospace Engineer salaries in Tampa, FL, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Tampa, FL vs. U.S. National Average

Tampa, FL pays near national for Aerospace Engineer roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$135K
all U.S. markets combined
-0%
Tampa, FL Premium
Tampa, FL City Average
$135K
Aerospace Engineer
MarketProjected Salaryvs Tampa, FLMarket Maturity
Tampa, FL (this guide)$134,776BaselineLocal market
United States$134,830Near nationalNational baseline
Palm Bay, FL$130,720-3% vs U.S.Comparable city
Miami, FL$124,870-7% vs U.S.Comparable city
Orlando, FL$120,640-10% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Tampa, FL pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Aerospace Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Tampa, FL

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Tampa, FL, this breakdown shows how aAerospace Engineer can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$104K
$65/hr median equivalent
$86.2K - $135K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$135K
$65/hr median equivalent
$104K - $159K
Senior
6-10 years
$159K
$65/hr median equivalent
$135K - $204K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$204K
$65/hr median equivalent
$159K - $248K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Aerospace Engineer0-2 years$104,038$86,158.0 - $134,776-23% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Aerospace Engineer3-5 years$134,776$104,038 - $159,085Near national
Senior Aerospace Engineer6-10 years$159,085$134,776 - $203,651+18% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Aerospace Engineer10+ years$203,651$159,085 - $248,454+51% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Tampa, FL

Nearby metro areas help show how Aerospace Engineer pay changes around Tampa, FL. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Tampa, FL
$135K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fl metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.
This guide
#2
Palm Bay, FL
$131K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Aerospace Engineer salaries around Tampa, FL.
-3% vs U.S.
#3
Miami, FL
$125K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Aerospace Engineer salaries around Tampa, FL.
-7% vs U.S.
#4
Orlando, FL
$121K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Aerospace Engineer salaries around Tampa, FL.
-10% vs U.S.
#5
Crestview, FL
$120K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Aerospace Engineer salaries around Tampa, FL.
-11% vs U.S.

Aerospace Engineer Salary by Industry in Tampa, FL

Industry premiums in Tampa, FL usually come from employers that place the Aerospace Engineer role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services$176,300$88,380.0 - $222,050Stronger salary
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$140,440$91,370.0 - $191,880Stronger salary
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$139,800$89,540.0 - $191,880Stronger salary
Management of Companies and Enterprises$135,760$93,590.0 - $221,270Competitive
Manufacturing$134,830$86,270.0 - $207,570Competitive
Information$134,000$59,800.0 - $190,780Competitive
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$133,470$80,820.0 - $214,260Competitive
Wholesale Trade$131,920$98,310.0 - $222,080Competitive

Entry-Level Aerospace Engineer Salary in Tampa, FL

Entry-level Aerospace Engineer jobs in Tampa, FL are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Aerospace Engineer salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Aerospace Engineer roles in Tampa, FL is about $104,038.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Aerospace Engineer Pay in Tampa, FL

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Aerospace Engineer candidates in Tampa, FL. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$134,776
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$137,472
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$132,080Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$137,472Metro dependentTampa, FL employersMedium
Onsite$134,776Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Tampa, FL

A salary in Tampa, FL should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.8K
$2.5K
$3.1K
Transport / commute
$393.1
$449.3
$505.4
Food and groceries
$842.3
$898.5
$1.0K
Utilities and internet
$393.1
$449.3
$505.4
Estimated remainder
$3.8K
$5.8K
$7.2K
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Top Employers Hiring Aerospace Engineers in Tampa, FL

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Aerospace Engineer pay tends to be strongest in Tampa, FL, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services employers
$176K
Industry benchmark for Aerospace Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$140K
Industry benchmark for Aerospace Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$140K
Industry benchmark for Aerospace Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$136K
Industry benchmark for Aerospace Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Manufacturing employers
$135K
Industry benchmark for Aerospace Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Information employers
$134K
Industry benchmark for Aerospace Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Tampa, FL Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherTampa, FL is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Aerospace Engineer work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Tampa, FL
This guide
$135K
Baseline
Palm Bay, FL
Nearby U.S. market
$131K
-3% vs U.S.
Miami, FL
Nearby U.S. market
$125K
-7% vs U.S.
Orlando, FL
Nearby U.S. market
$121K
-10% vs U.S.
Crestview, FL
Nearby U.S. market
$120K
-11% vs U.S.
Jacksonville, FL
Nearby U.S. market
$114K
-16% vs U.S.
Palm Bay, FL
Nearby U.S. market
$129K
-4% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Tampa, FL

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$78.2K - $105K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$97.1K - $128K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$121K - $151K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$146K - $189K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$173K - $218K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$202K - $276K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 6.1% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 4.5 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment71.6k → 75.9k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor150 jobs with a median of $134,776

Factors Affecting Aerospace Engineer Salary in Tampa, FL

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Aerospace Engineer Salary in Tampa, FL

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Aerospace Engineer Salary in Tampa, FL: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Aerospace Engineer" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Aerospace Engineer in Tampa, FLs salary?
The latest national baseline for Aerospace Engineers is about $134,800 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Aerospace Engineer in Tampa, FLs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Aerospace Engineers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $85,400 per year nationally.
How much can senior Aerospace Engineer in Tampa, FLs professionals earn?
Senior Aerospace Engineers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $174,500 per year nationally.
Does location affect Aerospace Engineer in Tampa, FLs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Aerospace Engineer in Tampa, FLs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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