Blue Origin engineer salary in 2026: pay by role and level
Blue Origin engineers earn $85,000–$210,000+ in base salary depending on role, experience, and location. The company has approximately 11,000 employees working on New Glenn, Blue Moon lunar lander, and BE-4/BE-3U engines.
Salary by role
| Role | Entry (0–3 yr) | Mid (3–7 yr) | Senior (8+ yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace/Mechanical | $85,000–$110,000 | $110,000–$150,000 | $145,000–$190,000 |
| Software Engineer | $110,000–$140,000 | $135,000–$175,000 | $165,000–$210,000+ |
| Avionics/Electrical | $90,000–$120,000 | $115,000–$155,000 | $150,000–$195,000 |
| Propulsion | $90,000–$115,000 | $115,000–$155,000 | $150,000–$200,000 |
| Systems Engineer | $90,000–$120,000 | $120,000–$160,000 | $155,000–$200,000 |
| Test Engineer | $85,000–$110,000 | $110,000–$145,000 | $140,000–$180,000 |
Compensation beyond base
- Equity: Blue Origin offers RSUs. The company is privately held (Jeff Bezos is the primary funder), so equity liquidity is limited compared to SpaceX's tender offers.
- 401(k): Competitive match (details vary)
- Health insurance: Medical, dental, vision
- Relocation: Assistance for most engineering positions
Blue Origin's base salaries are roughly comparable to SpaceX for similar roles. The key difference is equity: SpaceX's pre-IPO stock at $350B+ valuation has created significant wealth for employees, while Blue Origin's equity is less liquid and the path to monetization is less clear. Blue Origin's work-life balance is somewhat better (Glassdoor WLB ~3.2/5 vs. SpaceX's 2.4/5).
Key locations
| Location | Focus | State Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Kent, WA | New Glenn, engines, HQ | 0% |
| Denver, CO | Blue Moon, New Shepard | 4.4% |
| Huntsville, AL | BE-4 engine production | 5% |
| Cape Canaveral, FL | Launch operations | 0% |
| Van Horn, TX | New Shepard launch | 0% |
Kent, WA (near Seattle) is the largest site with zero state income tax, offering strong take-home pay.
For internship information, see our Blue Origin internship guide. Browse Blue Origin positions on Zero G Talent, or see our Blue Origin salary overview and Blue Origin careers guide.
