U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Transportation / Aerospace Engineering

Job-title file

Aerospace Engineering

Design, analyze, and oversee technical systems or infrastructure, ensuring they meet specifications and codes.

838 employees hold this title in Department of Transportation. Median total compensation for the role is $161,841, above the department median of $137,624.

Employees: 838
Total payroll: $134.7M
Role median: $161,841
Agency median: $137,624
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$60,877$226,959+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 838 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Aerospace Engineering pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Aerospace Engineers — about 67,710 people — is $134,960. Department of Transportation pays a median base salary of $161,841 for this role, 20% above that figure — about the 69th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Transportation sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$86,700

$106,110

$134,960

$169,690

$205,890

Department of Transportation median · $161,841

The bar is the range of annual wages for Aerospace Engineers across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Transportation’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 836 of 838 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Transportation is $161,841, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Aerospace Engineering is held in 8 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Transportation, the median of $161,841 ranks #3 of 8.

Highest-paying departments for this role

National Transportation Safety Board

$181,216 · 21

Department of Energy

$162,629 · 1

Department of Homeland Security

$161,373 · 2

Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

$155,034 · 4,417

Department of Commerce

$139,774 · 6

Department of Agriculture

$124,093 · 1

Department of State

$117,981 · 1

Median total compensation for the Aerospace Engineering role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Chirayu Gupta

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$118,892

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $118,892
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,892
Pay grade: H
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $118,892
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,218
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Chirayu Gupta works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Chirayu earned $118,892 in 2024. Their pay grade is H.

Matthew Burgess

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$118,512

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $118,512
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,512
Pay grade: I
Work city: Hapeville
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $118,512
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,000
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 132570121
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Matthew Burgess holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Hapeville, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $118,512. Their pay grade is I.

Gregory Koenig

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$118,232

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $118,232
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,232
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Plaines
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $118,232
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,662
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 172330031
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Gregory Koenig serves as a Aerospace Engineering based in Des Plaines, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $118,232. They are classified at grade I.

Krista Mullen

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$117,981

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $117,981
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,981
Pay grade: J
Work city: Fort Worth
Work county: Tarrant
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,981
Basic Pay (before locality): $92,964
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 482450439
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Krista Mullen is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Fort Worth, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $117,981. They are classified at grade J.

Nicole Tsang

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$117,796

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $117,796
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,796
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,796
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,051
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Nicole Tsang is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $117,796. They are classified at grade I.

Luis Cortez-Muniz

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$117,796

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $117,796
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,796
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,796
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,051
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Luis Cortez-Muniz works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. Luis earned $117,796 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Rori Fortmann

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$117,796

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $117,796
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,796
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,796
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,051
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Rori Fortmann holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,796. Their pay grade is I.

Kimberly Luu

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$117,796

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $117,796
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,796
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,796
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,051
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Kimberly Luu holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,796. Their pay grade is I.

Rene Ramirez

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$117,436

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $117,436
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,436
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Plaines
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,436
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,051
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 172330031
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Rene Ramirez holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Plaines, Illinois. In 2024, their total compensation was $117,436. Their pay grade is I.

Ted Dial

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$116,195

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $116,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,195
Pay grade: I
Work city: Wichita
Work county: Sedgwick
Work state: Kansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $116,195
Basic Pay (before locality): $99,465
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 205880173
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Ted Dial works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Wichita, Kansas. Ted earned $116,195 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Christopher Kleman

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$115,329

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $115,329
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,329
Pay grade: H
Work city: Des Plaines
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $115,329
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,436
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 172330031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Christopher Kleman works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Plaines, Illinois. Christopher earned $115,329 in 2024. Their pay grade is H.

Lila Burton

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$115,097

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $115,097
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,097
Pay grade: H
Work city: Houston
Work county: Harris
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $115,097
Basic Pay (before locality): $85,434
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Lila Burton holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Houston, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $115,097. Their pay grade is H.

Kevin Ngo

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$114,905

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $114,905
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,905
Pay grade: I
Work city: Hapeville
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,905
Basic Pay (before locality): $93,078
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 132570121
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Kevin Ngo serves as a Aerospace Engineering based in Hapeville, Georgia. Their 2024 pay totaled $114,905. They are classified at grade I.

Andrew Gronau

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$114,443

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $114,443
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,443
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Plaines
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $114,443
Basic Pay (before locality): $87,756
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 172330031
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Andrew Gronau holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Plaines, Illinois. In 2024, their total compensation was $114,443. Their pay grade is I.

Calvin Hang

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$113,890

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $113,890
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,890
Pay grade: I
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,890
Basic Pay (before locality): $83,841
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Calvin Hang holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Invalid, Invalid. In 2024, their total compensation was $113,890. Their pay grade is I.

David Wilson

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$113,385

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $113,385
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,385
Pay grade: I
Work city: Fort Worth
Work county: Tarrant
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $113,385
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,343
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 482450439
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

David Wilson holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $113,385. Their pay grade is I.

Anthony Caldejon

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,986

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,986
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,986
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,986
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,374
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Anthony Caldejon serves as a Aerospace Engineering based in Des Moines, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $112,986. They are classified at grade I.

Owen Bley-Male

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,323

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,323
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,323
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,323
Basic Pay (before locality): $85,867
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Owen Bley-Male serves as a Aerospace Engineering based in Des Moines, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $112,323. They are classified at grade I.

Tuan Tran

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$111,420

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $111,420
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,420
Pay grade: I
Work city: Hapeville
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,420
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,255
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 132570121
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Tuan Tran works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Hapeville, Georgia. Tuan earned $111,420 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Thomas Blank

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$111,035

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $111,035
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,035
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Plaines
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,035
Basic Pay (before locality): $85,143
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 172330031
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Thomas Blank serves as a Aerospace Engineering based in Des Plaines, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $111,035. They are classified at grade I.

Burak Kumas

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$111,029

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $111,029
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,029
Pay grade: H
Work city: Atlantic City
Work county: Atlantic
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,029
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,370
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340090001
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Burak Kumas works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Burak earned $111,029 in 2024. Their pay grade is H.