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

Sheila Mariano

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$217,440

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $214,369
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,071
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $217,440
Pay grade: K
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $214,369
Basic Pay (before locality): $163,878
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Sheila Mariano is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $217,440. They are classified at grade K.

Susan Mccormick

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$217,153

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $215,568
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,585
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $217,153
Pay grade: K
Work city: Watkins
Work county: Adams
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $215,568
Basic Pay (before locality): $165,975
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 082525001
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Susan Mccormick serves as a Aerospace Engineering based in Watkins, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $217,153. They are classified at grade K.

Robert Busto

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$216,641

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $214,958
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,683
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $216,641
Pay grade: K
Work city: Fort Worth
Work county: Tarrant
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $214,958
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,378
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 482450439
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Robert Busto works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Fort Worth, Texas. Robert earned $216,641 in 2024. Their pay grade is K.

Cynthia Ashforth

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$216,387

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $216,387
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $216,387
Pay grade: K
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $216,387
Basic Pay (before locality): $165,421
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Cynthia Ashforth is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $216,387. They are classified at grade K.

Wade Smith

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$215,585

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $209,097
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,488
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $215,585
Pay grade: K
Work city: Hapeville
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $209,097
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,378
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 132570121
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Wade Smith works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Hapeville, Georgia. Wade earned $215,585 in 2024. Their pay grade is K.

Soleyman Maroof

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$214,583

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $214,583
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $214,583
Pay grade: K
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $214,583
Basic Pay (before locality): $161,026
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Soleyman Maroof holds the role of Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $214,583. Their pay grade is K.

Katie Cranor

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$214,481

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $211,954
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,527
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $214,481
Pay grade: K
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $211,954
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,053
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Katie Cranor is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $214,481. They are classified at grade K.

David Swartz

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$214,461

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $213,961
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $214,461
Pay grade: K
Work city: Anchorage
Work county: Anchorage
Work state: Alaska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $213,961
Basic Pay (before locality): $162,141
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 020130020
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

David Swartz works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Anchorage, Alaska. David earned $214,461 in 2024. Their pay grade is K.

James Sutherland

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$213,058

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $208,686
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,372
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $213,058
Pay grade: K
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $208,686
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,534
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

James Sutherland works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. James earned $213,058 in 2024. Their pay grade is K.

Melanie Violette

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$213,036

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $213,036
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $213,036
Pay grade: K
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $213,036
Basic Pay (before locality): $162,859
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Melanie Violette works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. Melanie earned $213,036 in 2024. Their pay grade is K.

Lawrence Mcdonald

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$212,349

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $209,097
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,252
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $212,349
Pay grade: K
Work city: Hapeville
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $209,097
Basic Pay (before locality): $169,378
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 132570121
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Lawrence Mcdonald works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Hapeville, Georgia. Lawrence earned $212,349 in 2024. Their pay grade is K.

Roy Boffo

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$211,145

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $206,800
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,345
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $211,145
Pay grade: K
Work city: Des Plaines
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $206,800
Basic Pay (before locality): $158,577
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 172330031
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Roy Boffo works as a Aerospace Engineering for Department of Transportation based in Des Plaines, Illinois. Roy earned $211,145 in 2024. Their pay grade is K.

Shaun Ripple

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$210,487

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $207,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,973
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $210,487
Pay grade: K
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $207,514
Basic Pay (before locality): $158,638
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Shaun Ripple serves as a Aerospace Engineering based in Des Moines, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $210,487. They are classified at grade K.

Christopher Spinney

Aerospace Engineering/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$210,482

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $210,482
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $210,482
Pay grade: K
Work city: Burlington
Work county: Middlesex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $210,482
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,492
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250157017
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0861
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Christopher Spinney is a Aerospace Engineering at Department of Transportation based in Burlington, Massachusetts. 2024 total compensation came to $210,482. They are classified at grade K.