India’s aerospace industry has expanded rapidly, projected to grow from $7 billion in 2019 to $50 billion by 2024, a staggering 614% increase. This has led to a surge in aerospace engineering job opportunities and salary hikes across ISRO, DRDO, and private aerospace giants.
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The aerospace engineering salary landscape in India has witnessed a remarkable shift in recent years. Professionals in this sector have seen a22% salary growth since 2020, driven by India’s rapid progress in space exploration, defense manufacturing, and aviation technology. With India being the 5th largest space program in the world, as well as the 3rd largest civil aviation market, aerospace engineering has become one of the highest-paid career paths in the country.
This guide provides insight into the salaries of aerospace engineers in India, based on experience, specialization, location, and company type, to aid future aerospace engineers in understanding their earning potential in the field, which has great demand and opportunity in today's market.
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What Is Aerospace Engineering?
Aerospace engineering is a unique combination of aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering, involving everything from crafting the planes we fly to crafting rockets that can launch into space. Engineers to work on propulsion systems, avionics, aerodynamics, as well as structural analysis, skills that contribute to their lucrative salary packages.
The sector is currently valued at more than₹6.2 lakh crores (USD 75 billion) and is forecast to increase up to USD 70 billion by 2030, which means continued upward pressure on aerospace engineering salaries in India.
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Average Aerospace Engineering Salary in India in 2025
Today, the aeronautical engineering in India salary is between ₹4.5–7 LPA for freshers and ₹25–50+ LPA for professionals with some experience. Professionals employed at leading companies such as Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin are among the highest-paid in the salary range.
Category | Annual Salary Range | Notes |
Overall Average | ₹20.3–23.8 LPA | Across all levels |
Median | ₹18–20 LPA | Mid-career engineers |
Top 10% Earners | ₹31.9–45.6 LPA | Senior professionals |
International Roles | USD 124,000–197,000 (₹85–135 LPA equivalent) | Senior professionals |
Highest Reported | Up to ₹56 LPA | Specialized or global roles |
Further Reading: Engineer Salary in India
Aerospace Engineering Per Month Salary in India
In 2025, the average aerospace engineering salary per month in India lies between ₹50,000 to ₹70,000. There are considerable differences driven by experience, location, and the type of organization. Freshers joining the aerospace industry can expect a monthly salary between ₹25,000 to ₹40,000. The average monthly salary for fresh graduates is around ₹32,500.
As for engineers from the top engineering schools, like IITs and IIST, they typically command better starting packages in the range of ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 monthly.
Key Monthly Salary Highlights:
- Industry Average: ₹40,000 to ₹1,50,000 per month
- Fresher Range: ₹25,000 to ₹40,000 per month
- Experienced Professionals: ₹1,20,000 to ₹2,50,000+ per month
- Top Earners: Above ₹2,50,000 per month in senior roles.
Aerospace Engineering Per Month Salary based on the Company
The hiring organization has a considerable influence on salaries for aerospace engineering work, with private multinational firms tending to pay more than government organizations.
Organization Type | Company / Institution | Monthly Salary Range (₹) |
Government Sector | ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) | ₹50,000 – ₹75,000 |
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) | ₹39,000 – ₹67,000 | |
HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) | ₹60,000 – ₹85,000 | |
Private Sector (India) | Boeing India | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
Airbus India | ₹80,000 – ₹1,30,000 | |
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) | ₹75,000 – ₹1,10,000 | |
International Companies (Operating in / Hiring from India) | Lockheed Martin | ₹1,40,000 – ₹1,85,000 |
General Electric (GE Aviation) | ₹85,000 – ₹1,45,000 | |
SpaceX (International) | ₹7,00,000 – ₹11,25,000 |
Aerospace Engineering Salary by Experience
The most important thing in determining salary as an aerospace engineer in India is experience. For instance, candidates after a B.Tech in Aerospace engineering can start as freshers and earn an average annual package of ₹4.5-7 LPA.
Experience Level | Average Annual Salary | Salary Range |
Fresher (0 years) | ₹4.6 LPA | ₹3 – ₹12 LPA |
1 Year | ₹7.4 LPA | ₹2 – ₹15.3 LPA |
2 Years | ₹7.2 LPA | ₹2.2 – ₹20 LPA |
3 Years | ₹11.1 LPA | ₹2.5 – ₹24.6 LPA |
4 Years | ₹13.3 LPA | ₹3 – ₹32.5 LPA |
5 Years | ₹9 LPA | ₹3.3 – ₹27 LPA |
6 Years | ₹10.3 LPA | ₹3 – ₹30 LPA |
7 Years | ₹28.8 LPA | ₹5.4 – ₹65 LPA |
8 Years | ₹9.8 LPA | ₹4.5 – ₹22 LPA |
9 Years | ₹9.1 LPA | ₹5.1 – ₹20 LPA |
Source: AmbitionBox
Entry-Level Salary Opportunity
Freshers from top-tier engineering colleges, such as IITs, can earn an average aerospace engineering salary of around ₹6-8 LPA, while graduates from other colleges still report salaries ranging from ₹4-6 LPA. However, the aerospace engineering entry-level salaries have increased significantly, with some companies willing to pay as much as ₹7 LPA for skilled candidates.
Mid-level aerospace engineers' salaries in India, typically with 5–10 years of experience, often double their package compared to entry-level positions. Senior aerospace engineers with expertise in propulsion systems, avionics, aerodynamics, or project management can command salaries exceeding ₹25 LPA. Engineers aiming for these high-paying roles can enhance their technical proficiency and career prospects by pursuing a postgraduate degree like M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering.
Aerospace Engineering Salary based on Cities
In India, location is a key factor influencing aerospace engineering salaries due to the relative number of aerospace companies and the associated cost of living.
City | Average Salary (LPA) | Key Employers |
Bangalore | ₹9-12 | ISRO, HAL, Boeing, Airbus |
Hyderabad | ₹7-10.5 | DRDO, Boeing, Airbus |
Mumbai | ₹7-11 | Tata Advanced Systems, L&T |
Delhi NCR | ₹7-9.5 | DRDO, Boeing |
Chennai | ₹6-10 | ISRO, Boeing |
Pune | ₹6.5-8.5 | Various aerospace companies |
The next decade will see continued salary escalation driven by:
- AI and IoT integration in aerospace systems
- Electric and hybrid aircraft development
- Global supply chain participation
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)and green propulsion tech
With these innovations, aerospace engineering salaries in India are expected to rise by 20–25% by 2030, ensuring strong career longevity for engineers entering the field today.
India’s Aerospace Boom and Its Impact on Salaries
India’s aerospace exports surged by 224% during April–January 2024–25, reaching $6.37 billion, the fastest growth among all engineering sectors. This surge has driven a notable rise in aerospace engineering salaries, as companies compete globally for skilled talent.
- Defense exports: ₹23,622 crore ($2.76 billion) in FY25 — 12.04% YoY growth
- Private sector share: ₹15,233 crore
- DPSU contribution: ₹8,389 crore
With 54% of exports to the US, 9% to the UK, and 9% to China, India’s engineers now operate within international pay benchmarks, elevating the monthly salary in aerospace engineering in India.
ISRO’s Commercial Success Creating High-Value Roles
ISRO’s commercial operations have significantly boosted job creation and compensation levels. Between 2015 and 2024, ISRO launched 393 foreign satellites for 34 countries, generating $439 million in revenue and $143 million in forex earnings.
Impact on Aerospace Engineering Salary:
- NSIL’s Profit Before Tax (FY25): ₹1,242 crore (+43% YoY)
- 4.7 million jobs supported by ISRO-linked industries
- Return on investment: 2.54x per rupee spent, contributing $60 billion in economic value
ISRO’s success has created premium aerospace engineering jobs in areas such as propulsion, satellite design, and mission systems, often exceeding government salaries in the aerospace engineering sector in India.
Impact on Aerospace Engineering Salary based on Industry
Section | Key Developments | Career Salary Impact |
Chandrayaan-3 | - India became the first nation to land on the Moon’s south pole. - Boosted international credibility and global collaborations. | - Surge in foreign partnerships and R&D investments. - Creation of specialized roles in lunar technology and deep-space systems. - Higher pay scales for engineers with space mission experience. |
Private Sector Boom Driving Salary Growth | - Expansion in private aerospace manufacturing. - Global collaborations with Boeing, Airbus & Lockheed Martin. | - Tata Advanced Systems (TASL): C295 project ₹21,935 crore; ₹7–32 LPA salary. - Mahindra Aerospace: Supplies Airbus A320neo & A350; ₹3–25 LPA salary. - International Firms: Boeing ₹7.8–29 LPA; Airbus ₹6–20 LPA; GE Aviation ₹10–17.6 LPA; Rolls-Royce ₹8–12.9 LPA. - Alignment of Indian salaries with global pay scales. |
Startup Ecosystem Accelerating Salary Innovation | - Over 250 space tech startups are active in India. - Government VC fund of ₹1,000 crore. - $81 million raised in private funding (2024). | - Equity-based, high-growth compensation models. - Key startups: Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, NewSpace Research. - Salaries now on par with global aerospace averages, especially in UAVs, propulsion, and satellite tech. |
Government and Policy Push for Enhancing Salaries | - Make in India & Atmanirbhar Bharat driving domestic production. - Defence sector production: ₹1.27 lakh crore (+174% since 2014–15). - 65% indigenous manufacturing, ₹50,000 crore export target by 2029. - Space economy: $8.4B (2024) → $44B (2033); 26% CAGR. | - Continuous creation of high-paying government and private roles. - ₹35,000 crore worth of ISRO projects with 60–70% private involvement. - Long-term salary escalation due to sustained investments. |