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 3

John Massey

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

John Massey works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. John earned $152,671 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Amir Ajami

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Amir Ajami works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. Amir earned $152,671 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Frank Carreras

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Frank Carreras serves as a Aerospace Engineering based in Des Moines, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $152,671. They are classified at grade I.

David Herron

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 39
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

David Herron works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. David earned $152,671 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Tien Nguyen

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Tien Nguyen holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $152,671. Their pay grade is I.

Joe Salameh

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Joe Salameh works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. Joe earned $152,671 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Phillip Tran

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Phillip Tran is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $152,671. They are classified at grade I.

Pierre Vanhuyssteen

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Pierre Vanhuyssteen works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. Pierre earned $152,671 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Raja Vengadasalam

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Raja Vengadasalam works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. Raja earned $152,671 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Michael Closson

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,671

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,671
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,671
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,671
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,712
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Michael Closson holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $152,671. Their pay grade is I.

Glenn Fontelera

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,666

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,666
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,666
Pay grade: I
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,666
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,708
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Glenn Fontelera is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $152,666. They are classified at grade I.

Peter Jarzomb

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,361

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,361
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,361
Pay grade: J
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,361
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,162
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Peter Jarzomb serves as a Aerospace Engineering based in Invalid, Invalid. Their 2024 pay totaled $152,361. They are classified at grade J.

Lu Lu

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,347

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,347
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,347
Pay grade: J
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,347
Basic Pay (before locality): $116,464
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Lu Lu is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $152,347. They are classified at grade J.

Brian Shuttleworth

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,302

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,302
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,302
Pay grade: J
Work city: Pittsburgh
Work county: Allegheny
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,302
Basic Pay (before locality): $126,099
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426600003
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Brian Shuttleworth holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $152,302. Their pay grade is J.

Michael Popp

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$152,250

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $152,250
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,250
Pay grade: J
Work city: Westbury
Work county: Nassau
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,250
Basic Pay (before locality): $110,937
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 366550059
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Michael Popp is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Westbury, New York. 2024 total compensation came to $152,250. They are classified at grade J.