RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Aerospace Engineers salary: California vs Tennessee

Occupation

Aerospace Engineers in California earn a median of $157,620. In Tennessee, $128,510. After cost-of-living, the gap is 1.8% — not 22.7%.

Nominal pay gap
+22.7%
California vs Tennessee
COL-adjusted gap
+1.8%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Aerospace Engineers

Median
$157,620
p25
$129,010
p75
$193,060
p10
$104,370
p90
$220,670
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-60%
See full breakdown for California

Tennessee

Aerospace Engineers

Median
$128,510
p25
$99,080
p75
$136,990
p10
$79,690
p90
$171,560
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
91.9
See full breakdown for Tennessee

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.