EngineeringUpdated Q1 2026

Aerospace Engineer Salary
in Sterling Heights, MI

Design and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. Median salary in Sterling Heights: $118K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$118K
per year
Take-home: $78K

Salary range in Sterling Heights

Entry level (25th)$87,000
Median (50th)$118,000
Senior (75th)$153,000
Top earner (90th)$191,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Sterling Heights

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

3% discount vs national median

Aerospace Engineers in Sterling Heights earn approximately 3% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $4,000 discount on annual base salary. Sterling Heights's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 90 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Sterling Heights's cost-of-living index (90), the median Aerospace Engineer salary buys the equivalent of $131,111 in a US-average-cost city. That's $9,111 more purchasing power than the national median β€” a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Key facts for Sterling Heights

Median salary
$118K
annual
Take-home pay
$78K
after fed/state tax
COL index
90
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.25%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,200
per month
YoY growth
+3.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Sterling Heights Aerospace Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $118K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Sterling Heights

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Aerospace Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$99K$108K$117K$125K$134K201920212023202520272029
2026
$121K
projected
2027
$124K
projected
2028
$127K
projected
2029
$130K
projected
2030
$134K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$118,000+$0
2028 projected$118,000+$0
2029 projected$118,000+$0
2030 projected$118,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Aerospace Engineer Salary in Sterling Heights, Michigan: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Aerospace Engineer salary in Sterling Heights, MI is $118,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Sterling Heights–MI metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Aerospace Engineer in Sterling Heights

Entry-level Aerospace Engineers in Sterling Heights with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $87,000 and $118,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $118,000 to $153,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $153,000 to $191,000 or more.

Cost of living in Sterling Heights for Aerospace Engineers

Sterling Heights has a cost of living index of 90 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 10% further in Sterling Heights than the national average. Michigan has a 4.25% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Aerospace Engineer

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering. 20% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Aerospace Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Sterling Heights (current)$118K90
Detroit$122K82
Grand Rapids$112K90
Warren$116K85
Ann Arbor$130K115
Lansing$116K85