Aerospace Engineers
Overview
Introduction
Aerospace engineering encompasses the fields of aeronautical (aircraft) and astronautical (spacecraft) engineering. Aerospace engineers work in teams to design, build, and test machines that fly within the earth's atmosphere and beyond. Although aerospace science is a very specialized discipline, it is also considered one of the most diverse. This field of engineering draws from such subjects as physics, mathematics, earth science, aerodynamics, and biology. Some aerospace engineers specialize in designing one complete machine, perh...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Aerospace engineers with bachelor’s degrees earned average starting salaries of $64,699 in 2017, according to a 2018 salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
In May 2018, the median salary for all aerospace engineers was $115,220, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $71,640 and the highest paid 10 pe...
Work Environment
Aerospace engineers work in various settings depending on their job description. Those involved in research and design usually work in a traditional office setting. They spend considerable time at computers and drawing boards. Engineers involved with the testing of components and structures often work outside at test sites or in laboratories where controlled testing conditions can be created....
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for aerospace engineers will increase by about 2 percent through 2028, slower than the average for all occupations. New technologies and designs for commercial and military aircraft and spacecraft will sustain demand for research and development, but this demand will slow in the coming years. Some new jobs will be needed to work on emerging ...
