Aerospace Engineering Salary UK: How It Compares to National Average Pay

Aerospace Engineering Salary UK: How It Compares to National Average Pay

When researching an aerospace engineering salary in the UK, the most reliable source is the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). For 2025 (provisional), the median full-time annual gross pay for aerospace engineers (SOC 2126) stands at £55,817. This is significantly higher than the overall UK median full-time annual earnings of £39,039 – a difference of over £16,700. Understanding how this figure compares to national averages helps job seekers and employees gauge their position in the market.

The Official Data: ONS ASHE 2025

The ONS ASHE is based on a 1% sample of employee jobs drawn from HMRC PAYE records. It captures actual payments made to employees and the hours on which pay was calculated. For 2025, the reference date was 30 April. The data is weighted to UK population totals from the Labour Force Survey. Because ASHE uses employer-reported figures rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges, it provides a robust benchmark for typical pay.

Median vs Mean: What the Numbers Tell Us

The ONS prefers the median as the best measure of typical pay because it is less affected by a small number of very high earners. For aerospace engineers, the mean (average) salary is £62,880, which is about £7,000 higher than the median. This gap indicates that while many engineers earn around the median, a subset of senior or specialist roles pull the average upwards. When looking at advertised roles or job boards, you may see figures closer to the mean, but the median gives a more realistic picture of what a typical aerospace engineer takes home.

Regional Pay Differences Across the UK

Location plays a major role in determining an aerospace engineering salary. According to ONS ASHE 2025 data, the highest median pay is in Scotland at £62,838 – 13% above the national median. In contrast, the East of England sees a median of £44,607, which is 20% below the UK median. Other regions show notable variation:

• South West: £52,697
• South East: £49,821
• West Midlands: £45,293
• London: £42,695
• North West: £38,088
• Yorkshire and the Humber: £37,948
• Wales: £37,681
• East Midlands: £33,642

Interestingly, London – often associated with higher pay – ranks below the national median for aerospace engineers, possibly due to the concentration of roles in other sectors and the mix of employers. The difference between the highest and lowest region is £29,196 (87%), highlighting how much location matters.

From Gross to Take-Home: What You Actually Receive

Gross salary is only part of the story. Using the ASHE median of £55,817, a single taxpayer in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland would take home approximately £42,931 after income tax and National Insurance (2025/26 rates). In Scotland, where different income tax bands apply, the take-home is slightly lower at £41,265. These estimates assume no pension contributions or student loan repayments, which would further reduce net pay. The effective tax rate (including employee NI) is about 23.1% in England/Wales/NI and 26.1% in Scotland.

Entry-Level and Experienced Pay

For those starting their career, an Aerospace Engineer I (entry-level) typically earns around £38,618 according to Salary.com data, though this is not from ONS. The ONS ASHE data covers all full-time employees, so entry-level pay will be below the median. As experience grows, salaries can rise significantly, with senior engineers and specialists commanding well above the median. The mean of £62,880 suggests that experienced professionals in senior roles can earn considerably more.

How Aerospace Engineering Stacks Up Against Other Roles

The median aerospace engineering salary of £55,817 places it well above the UK all-occupation median of £39,039. For comparison, project managers have a median of £57,874 (ONS ASHE 2025), slightly higher than aerospace engineers. The National Living Wage for employees aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour from April 2025. For a full-time worker (37.5 hours/week), that equates to roughly £23,810 annually – less than half the aerospace engineer median. This illustrates the premium placed on specialist engineering skills.

Important Caveats When Using Salary Data

• The ASHE 2025 data is provisional and may be revised in subsequent releases.
• It only covers full-time employees on PAYE; bonuses, overtime, share schemes, and self-employed income are excluded.
• Regional medians are based on workplace location, not where the employee lives.
• Annual figures are for employees who have been in the same job for at least a year, and include periods of absence (e.g., parental leave).
• Take-home estimates are illustrative and do not account for personal tax codes, pension contributions, or student loan deductions.
• Actual offers will vary by employer, sector (defence, commercial aviation, space), and individual qualifications.

For more context on how different salaries compare, visit our salary data page or explore topics covering various occupations. You can also check the UK Average Salary for a broader overview.

FAQs

Q: What is the average aerospace engineering salary in the UK? A: The median (typical) aerospace engineering salary is £55,817 per year, according to ONS ASHE 2025. The mean (average) is £62,880. The median is the better guide for typical pay.

Q: How does aerospace engineering pay compare to the UK national average? A: Aerospace engineers earn significantly more than the UK median full-time salary of £39,039. The median aerospace engineering salary is about 43% higher than the national median.

Q: What factors affect aerospace engineering salary? A: Key factors include region (Scotland highest, East of England lowest), experience level, sector (defence, commercial, space), and employer. Senior specialists can earn well above the median.