# Boeing engineer salary in 2026: pay by level, division, and location **Author:** Zero G Talent **Published:** 2026-02-28 **Category:** salary-guides **Tags:** boeing, salary, aerospace, defense, career-guide [Read on Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com/blog/boeing-engineer-salary-2026) --- # Boeing engineer salary in 2026: pay by level, division, and location
$75K–$200K+
Salary Range
Levels 1–6
Engineering Ladder
~170,000
Total Employees
Boeing engineers earn $75,000–$200,000+ in base salary across a 6-level engineering ladder (Level 1 through Level 6). The company has approximately 170,000 employees across commercial aviation, defense, space, and services. Here's the pay breakdown for 2026. ## Salary by engineering level | Level | Title | Typical Experience | Base Salary Range | |-------|-------|-------------------|-------------------| | Level 1 | Associate Engineer | 0–2 years | $75,000–$95,000 | | Level 2 | Engineer | 2–5 years | $90,000–$120,000 | | Level 3 | Senior Engineer | 5–10 years | $110,000–$145,000 | | Level 4 | Lead Engineer | 10–15 years | $130,000–$170,000 | | Level 5 | Senior Lead Engineer | 15–20 years | $150,000–$195,000 | | Level 6 | Technical Fellow | 20+ years | $175,000–$220,000+ | Level 4 is the typical ceiling for most engineers. Level 5 and especially Level 6 (Technical Fellow) are competitive positions — Boeing has only a few hundred Technical Fellows company-wide. ## Salary by division Boeing's space work falls primarily under Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS): | Division & Program | Entry (L1) | Mid (L3) | Senior (L5+) | |-------------------|-----------|----------|--------------| | Space & Launch (SLS, Starliner) | $80,000 | $125,000 | $170,000+ | | Defense (F-15EX, MQ-25) | $78,000 | $120,000 | $165,000+ | | Commercial Aviation (737, 787) | $75,000 | $115,000 | $160,000+ | | Software / Digital | $90,000 | $135,000 | $185,000+ | Software and digital engineering roles command a premium across all divisions due to talent competition with tech companies.
Boeing's challenges

Boeing has faced significant headwinds: commercial aviation quality issues, Starliner program delays and cost overruns ($1.6B+ in charges), and workforce reductions (~17,000 layoffs announced in late 2024). These factors affect compensation through reduced bonuses and limited merit increases. However, Boeing's space and defense work is contract-funded, providing more stability than the commercial division.

## Total compensation - **Annual bonus (AIP):** 5–15% of salary target, but actual payouts have been reduced in recent years due to company performance - **401(k):** Boeing matches 75% of the first 8% you contribute = 6% effective match - **Pension:** Boeing froze its defined benefit pension for non-union employees in 2016. New hires get an enhanced 401(k) instead. - **SPEEA union:** Most Boeing engineers in Washington state are represented by SPEEA (Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace), which negotiates salary scales, benefits, and working conditions - **Tuition reimbursement:** Available for advanced degrees ## Key locations | Location | Focus | State Tax | |----------|-------|-----------| | Everett/Renton, WA | Commercial aviation (737, 777X) | 0% | | St. Louis, MO | Defense (F-15EX, MQ-25) | 4.8% | | Huntington Beach, CA | SLS upper stage, satellite systems | 9.3%+ | | Houston, TX | ISS, Starliner operations, space | 0% | | Huntsville, AL | SLS program management, SDA satellites | 5% | | El Segundo, CA | Satellite systems | 9.3%+ | Washington state locations (no income tax) and Texas offer the best take-home pay. ## Boeing vs. other aerospace employers | Employer | L3 Equivalent | 401(k) Match | Pension | |----------|--------------|--------------|---------| | Boeing | $115,000–$145,000 | 6% effective | Frozen (enhanced 401k) | | Lockheed Martin | $95,000–$135,000 | 10% (6% + 4% auto) | Active | | Northrop Grumman | $100,000–$130,000 | ~8% | Active | | SpaceX | $130,000–$165,000 | 4% effective | None | Boeing's base pay at mid-levels is competitive with defense primes. LM's 10% 401(k) is more generous for retirement. SpaceX pays more but with equity risk and lower work-life balance. Browse [Boeing positions on Zero G Talent](/space-jobs-at-boeing), or see our [Boeing careers guide](/blog/boeing-careers-jobs-2026), [aerospace engineer salary comparison](/blog/salary-of-an-aerospace-engineer-2026), and [Lockheed Martin salary guide](/blog/lockheed-martin-engineer-salary-2026). --- *Source: [Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com), the job board for space, defense, AI, robotics and frontier-tech companies.*