Highest-paying defense and aerospace roles
Among defense and aerospace jobs that state yearly pay, Producers and Directors, Robotics Engineers and Architectural and Engineering Managers pay the most at the median, against $164k for the segment as a whole. Every job on this page is in the United States, taken from the employer’s own career site or job system and checked to still be open.
Highest-paying defense and aerospace roles
Rebuilt weekly. November 2026 edition.
| # | Role | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Producers and Directors24 open · With pay 14 | $256k |
| 2 | Robotics Engineers69 open · With pay 27 | $233k |
| 3 | Architectural and Engineering Managers480 open · With pay 123 | $222k |
| 4 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers15 open · With pay 15 | $215k |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Managers294 open · With pay 34 | $215k |
| 6 | Lawyers78 open · With pay 19 | $198k |
| 7 | Marketing Managers186 open · With pay 77 | $195k |
| 8 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists28 open · With pay 9 | $195k |
| 9 | Information Technology Project Managers332 open · With pay 99 | $193k |
| 10 | Software Developers2,681 open · With pay 605 | $193k |
| 11 | Computer and Information Research Scientists203 open · With pay 51 | $190k |
| 12 | Sales Managers303 open · With pay 55 | $190k |
| 13 | Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators37 open · With pay 16 | $187k |
| 14 | Web and Digital Interface Designers80 open · With pay 25 | $185k |
| 15 | Chemical Engineers92 open · With pay 17 | $185k |
| 16 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer362 open · With pay 75 | $182k |
| 17 | Supply Chain Managers170 open · With pay 48 | $176k |
| 18 | Compliance Managers60 open · With pay 15 | $175k |
| 19 | Project Management Specialists604 open · With pay 69 | $175k |
| 20 | Telecommunications Engineering Specialists63 open · With pay 15 | $174k |
| 21 | Purchasing Managers173 open · With pay 42 | $173k |
| 22 | General and Operations Managers189 open · With pay 32 | $173k |
| 23 | Computer Systems Engineers/Architects1,949 open · With pay 246 | $172k |
| 24 | Quality Control Systems Managers106 open · With pay 17 | $172k |
| 25 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists123 open · With pay 34 | $171k |
Search all defense and aerospace jobs · Back to defense and aerospace jobs
More defense and aerospace lists
More industries
- US manufacturing30,495
- Healthcare25,566
- Financial services25,485
- Education12,966
- Non-profits12,761
- Biotech and pharma10,685
- AI8,032
- Construction7,390
- Transportation and logistics4,894
- Space4,802
- Semiconductors3,805
- Automotive and EV3,639
- Retail2,961
- Robotics and automation2,792
- Data centers2,570
- Consumer packaged goods2,445
- Utilities and power2,298
- Clean energy and nuclear2,181
- Real estate1,502
- Telecom1,354
- Tourism and hospitality1,235
- Steel, aluminum and metals966
- Oil and gas933
- Mining and natural resources891
- Restaurants890
- Airlines and aviation777
- TV and streaming733
- Shipbuilding and maritime471
- Casino and gaming454
- Music414
- Foundation334
- Museum273
- Sports207
- Movies and film46
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