How much does the average Boeing employee make in 2026
Boeing is one of those companies where "average salary" is almost meaningless because the gap between a unionized machinist in Everett, Washington and a senior program manager in Arlington, Virginia is six figures wide. The real question is which Boeing you're talking about.
The average across all roles
Boeing's median total compensation across all job families sits around $105,000 in 2026. That number blends everyone from production workers earning $45/hour to vice presidents pulling $350,000+ in base salary plus bonuses and stock.
The average base salary (excluding hourly workers) is closer to $115,000-$125,000. But averages hide a bimodal distribution. Boeing's workforce splits roughly into two groups: unionized hourly workers in manufacturing and non-union salaried professionals in engineering, management, and corporate functions.
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Median total compensation (all employees) | ~$105,000 |
| Average base salary (salaried employees) | ~$120,000 |
| Average hourly rate (union manufacturing) | ~$45/hour ($93,600/year) |
| Executive average total comp | ~$500,000+ |
Boeing's SEC filings show a median employee compensation figure that the company is required to disclose annually. In recent filings, that number has hovered around $100,000-$110,000, which aligns with the blended average of a workforce that's roughly one-third hourly manufacturing and two-thirds salaried.
Union vs. non-union pay breakdown
The single biggest factor in Boeing pay isn't your job title or even your experience. It's whether you're covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
IAM (International Association of Machinists) District 751 covers roughly 33,000 Boeing workers in the Puget Sound region. After the 2024 strike, the new contract brought significant wage increases. Starting pay for a machinist jumped to around $28-$32/hour, with experienced machinists earning $42-$48/hour. The contract also included ratification bonuses and restored some pension-like benefits.
SPEEA (Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace) represents about 17,000 engineers and technical workers at Boeing. SPEEA members earn on a salary scale, with entry-level engineers starting around $75,000-$85,000 and experienced engineers earning $120,000-$160,000+.
Non-union salaried employees include managers, business analysts, HR, finance, and corporate staff. Their pay is set by Boeing's internal grading system (Level 1-6+ for individual contributors, Manager/Director/VP for leadership).
| Employee Group | Coverage | Base Pay Range | Avg. Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAM Machinists | ~33,000 | $58,000 - $100,000 | $70,000 - $115,000 |
| SPEEA Engineers | ~17,000 | $75,000 - $165,000 | $90,000 - $185,000 |
| Non-union Salaried | ~90,000 | $70,000 - $250,000+ | $85,000 - $300,000+ |
| Executives | ~500 | $200,000 - $400,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000+ |
The 2024 IAM strike resulted in a contract with 38% general wage increases over 4 years, a $12,000 ratification bonus, and enhanced 401(k) contributions. By 2026, many experienced IAM workers will have crossed the $100,000/year mark with overtime included. That's a meaningful jump from pre-strike levels.
Salary by job family
Boeing organizes roles into job families. Here's what each pays in 2026:
| Job Family | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Senior/Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $78,000 - $92,000 | $105,000 - $135,000 | $140,000 - $175,000 |
| Software Engineer | $85,000 - $100,000 | $110,000 - $145,000 | $150,000 - $190,000 |
| Systems Engineer | $80,000 - $95,000 | $108,000 - $140,000 | $145,000 - $180,000 |
| Manufacturing Engineer | $72,000 - $85,000 | $90,000 - $115,000 | $120,000 - $155,000 |
| Quality Engineer | $70,000 - $82,000 | $88,000 - $110,000 | $115,000 - $145,000 |
| Program Manager | $90,000 - $110,000 | $120,000 - $160,000 | $165,000 - $220,000 |
| Business Analyst | $65,000 - $80,000 | $85,000 - $115,000 | $120,000 - $155,000 |
| Machinist (IAM) | $58,000 - $67,000 | $75,000 - $95,000 | $95,000 - $110,000 |
| Electrician (IAM) | $60,000 - $70,000 | $78,000 - $98,000 | $98,000 - $115,000 |
| Supply Chain/Logistics | $60,000 - $75,000 | $80,000 - $110,000 | $115,000 - $150,000 |
Software engineers at Boeing earn less than their counterparts at Amazon or Microsoft, but Boeing roles in the Seattle area come with defense project exposure, clearance opportunities, and a different pace of work. Boeing software engineers working on avionics or flight control systems do specialized work that doesn't translate directly to Big Tech comparisons.
Boeing's internal leveling system
Boeing uses a numeric leveling system for salaried employees. Understanding the levels helps you benchmark offers:
| Level | Title Examples | Typical Salary Range | Typical Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Associate Engineer | $70,000 - $90,000 | 0-2 years |
| Level 2 | Engineer | $85,000 - $115,000 | 2-5 years |
| Level 3 | Senior Engineer | $110,000 - $150,000 | 5-10 years |
| Level 4 | Lead Engineer / Technical Fellow | $140,000 - $185,000 | 10-15 years |
| Level 5 | Senior Lead / Principal | $165,000 - $220,000 | 15-20+ years |
| Level 6 | Technical Fellow | $190,000 - $260,000 | 20+ years |
| Manager | First-line Manager | $130,000 - $175,000 | 8-15 years |
| Director | Director | $175,000 - $280,000 | 15+ years |
| VP | Vice President | $250,000 - $450,000 | 20+ years |
Boeing's Technical Fellow track is the non-management peak. There are only about 100-150 Technical Fellows across the entire company. They earn Level 5-6 salaries and have influence over major design decisions without managing people.
Hourly vs. salaried: the overtime factor
For IAM workers, overtime can significantly change the picture. Boeing production schedules frequently require overtime, especially when delivery timelines are tight (which, given Boeing's recent history, is most of the time).
A machinist earning $45/hour at straight time makes $93,600/year on a 40-hour week. Add 10 hours of overtime per week at time-and-a-half ($67.50/hour), and that becomes $128,700. During production surges, some workers report 50-60 hour weeks for extended periods.
Salaried employees don't get overtime pay. A Level 3 engineer working 50 hours per week to meet a program deadline earns the same as when they work 40. This is a common source of frustration, especially in Boeing's defense and space programs where schedule pressure is constant.
| Scenario | Machinist ($45/hr) | Salaried Engineer ($130k) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 hrs/week | $93,600 | $130,000 |
| 45 hrs/week | $111,150 | $130,000 |
| 50 hrs/week | $128,700 | $130,000 |
| 55 hrs/week | $146,250 | $130,000 |
Boeing's benefits package adds roughly 30-40% to base compensation. The 401(k) match (up to 10% for some groups), health insurance, tuition reimbursement ($15,000/year), and pension contributions for union workers all add up. When comparing Boeing to other offers, factor in benefits explicitly.
Pay by location
Boeing has major facilities across the US, and pay varies by cost of living and local labor market:
| Location | Key Programs | Pay Adjustment | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everett/Renton, WA | 737, 777, 787 production | Baseline | High |
| St. Louis, MO | F-15, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25 | -5 to -10% | Moderate |
| Arlington, VA (HQ) | Corporate, program offices | +5 to +10% | Very high |
| Huntsville, AL | SLS, Space Launch System | -5 to -10% | Low |
| Oklahoma City, OK | B-52, sustainment | -10 to -15% | Low |
| Mesa, AZ | Apache, Chinook helicopters | -5 to -8% | Moderate |
| Charleston, SC | 787 final assembly | -5 to -10% | Moderate |
| El Segundo, CA | Satellites, Space & Launch | +5 to +10% | Very high |
Boeing's space division, which works on SLS, CST-100 Starliner, and satellite programs, is primarily based in Huntsville, Alabama and El Segundo, California. Huntsville offers the best salary-to-cost-of-living ratio in Boeing's footprint. El Segundo pay is higher in absolute terms but gets eaten by LA housing costs.
Search current Boeing positions at Boeing careers on Zero G Talent or explore related roles at Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
Boeing vs. competitors
How does Boeing stack up against other defense and aerospace employers?
| Company | Entry Engineer | Senior Engineer | Program Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing | $78,000 - $92,000 | $140,000 - $175,000 | $165,000 - $220,000 |
| Lockheed Martin | $75,000 - $90,000 | $135,000 - $170,000 | $155,000 - $210,000 |
| Northrop Grumman | $77,000 - $93,000 | $138,000 - $175,000 | $160,000 - $215,000 |
| Raytheon (RTX) | $74,000 - $88,000 | $130,000 - $165,000 | $150,000 - $200,000 |
| SpaceX | $85,000 - $105,000 | $150,000 - $200,000 | $170,000 - $230,000 |
| Blue Origin | $82,000 - $98,000 | $145,000 - $185,000 | $160,000 - $220,000 |
The big defense contractors (Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop, Raytheon) pay within 5-10% of each other for equivalent roles. SpaceX and Blue Origin pay more in base salary but demand longer hours and offer less job security. Boeing's advantage is its benefits package and union protections for manufacturing workers.
FAQ
What is the starting salary at Boeing for engineers?
Entry-level engineers (Level 1) at Boeing start between $70,000 and $95,000 depending on the discipline, location, and whether you have a master's degree. Software engineers start at the higher end; manufacturing engineers at the lower end. Boeing typically interviews on campus and extends offers in the fall for summer start dates.
Do Boeing machinists make good money?
After the 2024 contract, experienced IAM machinists at Boeing earn $42-$48/hour ($87,000-$100,000/year) before overtime. With overtime, many cross $120,000. That's strong pay for skilled trades work, and it comes with union benefits including healthcare and retirement contributions.
How does Boeing's 401(k) match work?
Boeing offers a 401(k) with employer contributions that vary by employee group. Non-union salaried employees receive an automatic company contribution of 3-5% plus a match of up to 4-6% of contributions. IAM workers received enhanced retirement contributions in the 2024 contract. The specifics depend on your hire date and bargaining unit.
Is Boeing a good company to work for in 2026?
Boeing has had a rough stretch with the 737 MAX crisis, quality control issues, and the 2024 strike. Morale varies by site and program. The space division (SLS, Starliner) has faced its own schedule and budget challenges. That said, Boeing still offers stable employment, strong benefits, and work on programs that matter. Check current Boeing openings to see what's available.
Does Boeing pay for relocation?
Yes, Boeing offers relocation packages for salaried employees, typically covering moving expenses, temporary housing (30-60 days), and sometimes a home sale assistance program. The specifics depend on the level and the hiring program. Intern and entry-level hires receive smaller packages. Ask your recruiter about relocation before accepting an offer.
