Aerospace Engineering Degree in Pittsburgh, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Pittsburgh, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$92K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$132K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Pittsburgh
Cost of Living
115
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Pittsburgh, PA Overview
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (pop. 302,971) has 12 colleges offering Aerospace Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 115 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,285/month. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Pittsburgh is approximately $92,000.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$19,718/yr
Private Tuition
$61,344/yr
Room & Board
$15,793/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,441/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
63%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Pittsburgh (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Pittsburgh's cost of living index of 115 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Pittsburgh adjustment factor: 1.15x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Pittsburgh
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Pittsburgh tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $19,718 | Private avg: $61,344
Pittsburgh avg aid: $13,441/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$142,044
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$51,750
vs HS diploma in Pittsburgh
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Pittsburgh
$984,956
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,127,000) minus total education cost ($142,044)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Pittsburgh
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Pittsburgh for Aerospace Engineering
University of Pittsburgh
public
$19,718/yr
$78,872 total
Carnegie Mellon University
private
$61,344/yr
$245,376 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Community College of Allegheny County
$5,070/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Pittsburgh Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$120K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Allentown, PA
$90K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$94K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Erie, PA
$96K starting · COL 120
4 colleges
Upper Darby, PA
$76K starting · COL 94.5
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$96K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$100K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$73K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Pittsburgh
Petroleum Engineering
$58K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$58K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$58K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$58K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$58K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Pittsburgh — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Aerospace Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Pittsburgh.