Aerospace Engineers
SOC code 17-2011 · O*NET-SOC 17-2011.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Aerospace Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$134,960
a year
Hourly
$64.89
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$142,060
$68.30 per hour
Middle 50%
$106,110 – $169,690
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$86,700 – $205,890
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
67,710
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $86,700
- $41.68/hr
- 25th percentile
- $106,110
- $51.02/hr
- Median percentile
- $134,960
- $64.89/hr
- 75th percentile
- $169,690
- $81.58/hr
- 90th percentile
- $205,890
- $98.98/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+6%
Growing faster than average
71,600
jobs in 2024
75,900
projected for 2034
About 4,300 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an aerospace engineer do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
- Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.
- Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
- Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates.
- Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
- Diagnose performance problems by reviewing reports or documentation from customers or field engineers or by inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products.
- Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
- Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
How to become an aerospace engineer
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does an aerospace engineer earn?
The national median is $134,960 a year. The full range runs from $86,700 at the 10th percentile to $205,890 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an aerospace engineer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is aerospace engineer in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Mathematics4.0/5
- Science4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.7/5
- Design4.7/5
- Mechanical4.3/5
- Mathematics4.1/5
- Physics4.1/5
- Computers and Electronics4.0/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Production and Processing3.6/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.