An aerospace engineer in the UK earns about £30,000 as a starter and up to £70,000 with experience, according to the National Careers Service, and a 2027 apprenticeship it lists pays £24,000 a year. Employer graduate salaries and the national median were not available on pages we could verify, so we do not quote them.
Aerospace engineer salary UK by stage
The National Careers Service publishes a starter and an experienced figure for the role.
| Grade or stage | Salary | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeship (example listing, 2027 start) | £24,000 | Listed on the National Careers Service profile |
| Starter, entry level | £30,000 | National Careers Service |
| Experienced | up to £70,000 | National Careers Service |
Source: National Careers Service aerospace engineer profile (undated). BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Airbus UK graduate salaries and the ONS median could not be verified, so they are not included. Check each employer’s graduate page for current pay.
Aerospace engineer pay stage picker
How to become an aerospace engineer in the UK
The National Careers Service lists several routes into the role.
- Degree route: a degree in aerospace or a related subject, usually with 2 to 3 A levels including maths and physics.
- Other routes: an HNC or HND, a Level 6 degree apprenticeship, or starting as a technician.
- Chartership: Chartered Engineer status is available through the engineering institutions; see the mechanical engineer guide for IMechE fees. We could not verify Royal Aeronautical Society fees.
What the role involves
Aerospace engineers “design, test, build and maintain aeroplanes, spacecraft and satellites.”
National Careers Service job profile (an organisation description, not a personal quote). Source
Hours and what affects pay
Hours: 37 to 40 a week, with occasional evenings and weekends (National Careers Service).
What moves your pay: employer, sector (civil or defence), chartership, specialism and seniority.
Graduate schemes: see our graduate schemes hub for engineering schemes that list their own salaries.
Aerospace engineer salary FAQ
How much does an aerospace engineer earn in the UK?
The National Careers Service gives about £30,000 for a starter and up to £70,000 for an experienced engineer.
What qualifications do you need?
Usually a degree in aerospace or a related subject, but an HNC or HND, a degree apprenticeship or a technician start are also routes.
How much do graduate aerospace engineers earn at BAE, Rolls-Royce or Airbus?
We could not verify employer graduate salaries from official pages, so check each employer’s own graduate page.
Do aerospace engineers work shifts?
Mostly 37 to 40 hours a week, with occasional evenings and weekends.
Sources and further reading
Related on Debut: Graduate schemes hub | Pilot salary | Air traffic controller salary | Mechanical engineer salary | Doctor salary | Cardiologist salary | Dermatologist salary | Optometrist salary
Updated November 2026.
