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 $163k 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.
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Highest-paying defense and aerospace roles
Rebuilt weekly. November 2026 edition.
| # | Role | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Producers and Directors23 open · With pay 14 | $271k |
| 2 | Robotics Engineers71 open · With pay 30 | $223k |
| 3 | Architectural and Engineering Managers491 open · With pay 118 | $219k |
| 4 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers16 open · With pay 16 | $215k |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Managers306 open · With pay 33 | $208k |
| 6 | Lawyers79 open · With pay 20 | $198k |
| 7 | Web Developers59 open · With pay 13 | $195k |
| 8 | Information Technology Project Managers365 open · With pay 126 | $193k |
| 9 | Marketing Managers168 open · With pay 61 | $193k |
| 10 | Sales Managers296 open · With pay 51 | $193k |
| 11 | Software Developers2,813 open · With pay 618 | $193k |
| 12 | Penetration Testers81 open · With pay 16 | $189k |
| 13 | Web and Digital Interface Designers76 open · With pay 23 | $189k |
| 14 | Financial Managers139 open · With pay 29 | $188k |
| 15 | Digital Forensics Analysts58 open · With pay 10 | $187k |
| 16 | Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators41 open · With pay 17 | $187k |
| 17 | Security Managers85 open · With pay 8 | $186k |
| 18 | Chemical Engineers92 open · With pay 19 | $185k |
| 19 | Financial Risk Specialists24 open · With pay 9 | $181k |
| 20 | Project Management Specialists631 open · With pay 68 | $179k |
| 21 | Computer and Information Research Scientists253 open · With pay 50 | $175k |
| 22 | Purchasing Managers159 open · With pay 36 | $175k |
| 23 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer394 open · With pay 80 | $174k |
| 24 | Search Marketing Strategists24 open · With pay 8 | $173k |
| 25 | Telecommunications Engineering Specialists70 open · With pay 14 | $172k |
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More defense and aerospace lists
More industries
- US manufacturing34,328
- Financial services28,982
- Healthcare26,927
- Education14,346
- Nonprofits13,697
- Biotech and pharma12,574
- AI8,364
- Construction7,544
- Transportation and logistics5,669
- Space5,418
- Automotive and EV4,186
- Semiconductors3,683
- Retail3,289
- Robotics and automation3,148
- Consumer packaged goods2,663
- Data centers2,554
- Utilities and power2,405
- Clean energy and nuclear2,303
- Telecom1,689
- Real estate1,655
- Tourism and hospitality1,437
- Oil and gas1,102
- Steel, aluminum and metals1,022
- Restaurants953
- TV and streaming941
- Mining and natural resources884
- Airlines and aviation811
- Music663
- Shipbuilding and maritime474
- Casino and gaming441
- Sports235
- Movies and film63
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