Aerospace Engineering Careers
Aerospace Engineering careers involve the analysis, design and operation of aerospace hardware and software systems. One of the highly analytical fields of engineering they can design, develop and test aircraft, spacecraft and missiles and supervise the manufacture of these products. They also develop new technologies for use in these industries. Aerospace engineers also use computer aided design (CAD) software, robotics, lasers and advanced electronic optics.
Why is employment in this field desirable? Statistics speak for themselves, it is a very well paid profession.
| Employment | Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 70,740 | $36.54 | $76,000 |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $24.22 | $29.27 | $35.83 | $43.40 | $51.85 |
| Annual Wage | $50,380 | $60,880 | $74,520 | $90,270 | $107,840 |
An Aerospace engineer can specialise in any number of areas including
- aerodynamics
- acoustics
- propulsion
- mechanics
- control systems
An aerospace engineer may find occupation in any number of fields including:
-
Design and manufacturing companies
-
Defence forces
-
Defence science and technologies
-
Passenger transport airlines
- General aviation and commuter airlines
Below we have included statistics from the United States of industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 43,920 | $35.08 | $72,970 |
| Federal government (OES designation) | 7,370 | $40.58 | $84,400 |
| Architectural and engineering services | 4,130 | $39.49 | $82,140 |
| Electronic instrument manufacturing | 3,130 | $39.19 | $81,520 |
| Employment services | 1,460 | $44.99 | $93,590 |
However the top paying industries for this occupation include:
| Industry | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment services | 1,460 | $44.99 | $93,590 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 720 | $43.31 | $90,080 |
| Federal government (OES designation) | 7,370 | $40.58 | $84,400 |
| Architectural and engineering services | 4,130 | $39.49 | $82,140 |
| Machinery and supply merchant wholesalers | 200 | $39.40 | $81,960 |
Sourced from the U.S department of Labour Bureau of Labour statistics
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