MENU

Aerospace Engineers

General Information

Description

Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

Explore this career in the military

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit91.71%
  2. Federal government5.38%
  3. Private, not for profit1.59%
  4. Self-employed1.01%
  5. State and local government0.31%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Job Outlook

Employment of aerospace engineers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 3,800 openings for aerospace engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Read More

Job Outlook

×

Employment of aerospace engineers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 3,800 openings for aerospace engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Similar Careers

Related Military Careers

Show More

Related MIlitary Careers X

    • Aerospace Engineers
      • Aerospace engineers direct research programs and design military aircraft and aerospace equipment. They serve as aviation technical specialists in air warfare research projects and supervise aircraft design projects from development to evaluation of experimental equipment. They formulate policies and coordinate procurement programs for aircraft and aircraft subsystems, and serve as engineering and technical management liaisons across military branches, contracting organizations, and other government agencies. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Aircraft Mechanics
      • Aircraft mechanics supervise or perform the inspection, service, and repair of the Military's fleet of helicopters and airplanes. These mechanics troubleshoot and maintain the aircraft’s structure, engines, and other components, including mission-critical features such as weapons and electronic warfare, and coatings for stealth purposes. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Airborne Combat Navigators
      • Airborne combat navigators use radar, radio, and other navigation equipment to determine position, direction of travel, intended course, and other operations of aircraft. They also operate other mission critical systems on aircraft such as surveillance, communications, electronic warfare, and other weapon systems. Additionally, they monitor, evaluate, and direct flying operations and training programs.  Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Airplane Pilots
      • Airplane pilots in the Military train, organize, and equip the nation’s air services to support the national and international policies of the government. They operate many different jet and propeller planes. Aircraft range from combat airplanes to supersonic fighters and bombers. In addition to flying aircraft, airplane pilots develop flight plans, check weather reports, brief and direct all crew members, and perform system operation checks to test the proper functioning of instrumentation, controls, and electronic and mechanical systems on the flight deck. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Artillery and Missile Officers
      • Artillery and missile officers manage personnel and weapons operations to destroy enemy positions, aircraft, and vessels. They direct artillery crew members as they position, maintain, and fire guns, cannons, howitzers, and rockets. They normally specialize by type of artillery. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Electrical and Electronics Engineers
      • Electrical and electronics engineers supervise and coordinate the research, design, development, testing, procurement, modification, and repair of electrical and electronics equipment. Their expertise includes radar, data systems, electronic warfare devices, and electronic components of missile weapons systems. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Fleet Maintenance Managers
      • Fleet maintenance managers supervise and coordinate the repair and maintenance of the Military’s airplanes, ships, trucks, and other vehicles. They establish maintenance schedules, develop work procedures, and direct the operation of maintenance crews. They assist in fuel operations and may manage machine shops. From repairing equipment damaged in battle to providing preventive maintenance, these managers are critical for keeping the Military’s fleet strong. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Industrial Engineers
      • Industrial engineers perform research and development to determine the most effective ways for the Military to use its people and equipment. They conduct studies and oversee projects to optimize the use of time, money, materials, energy, and other resources. These professionals create engineering processes to improve the efficiency and productivity of military operations. They also apply analysis and assessment methods to problems related to strategic planning, acquisitions, and mission support. They build models and simulations to test existing and proposed systems. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Space Operations Officers
      • Space operations officers manage space flight planning, training, mission control, and other activities involved in launching and recovering spacecraft. They provide consultation and oversight of space systems functions related to operations, development and acquisition, and policy planning. They perform space operations activities including orbital analysis, surveillance, and space warning. They conduct satellite position predictions and perform space lift operations, including flight control and launch-processing activities. Navigate to Military Career Page
No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$122,270

Military salary*

$54,486

Explore this career in the Military

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$163,360
$61,240
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 59%
  • Master's degree 33%
  • Associate's degree 7%
  • High school 0%
  • Some college 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Design
  • Physics
  • Computers and Electronics

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.