Aircraft and spacecraft support many of the functions of modern life, from air travel to satellite-supported geolocation and imaging services. Aerospace engineers are the professionals who design and test these vehicles, as well as other related technologies, including missiles. They are employed by organizations in both the public and private sectors, and they play a critical role in the development of commercial planes, military vehicles, and more.
For individuals who are fascinated by air or space travel, the role of an aerospace engineer may be enticing. Exploring this profession, including learning about aerospace engineer salary expectations and the role’s daily duties and responsibilities, can help aspiring engineers decide whether it’s the right career for them. Additionally, it’s crucial to develop core competencies and engineering skills from an accredited program, such as a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) program.
What Do Aerospace Engineers Do?
To begin with, what do aerospace engineers do?
Although an aerospace engineer’s work is highly specialized, their typical duties resemble those of mechanical and electrical engineers, particularly as they relate to the design and testing of complex systems. Common responsibilities for an aerospace-related role include:
- Create specifications for testing aircraft and spacecraft, including benchmarks for durability, reliability, and overall performance
- Determine whether specific materials and products meet these standards
- Test prototypes of missiles, airplanes, and satellites
- Identify why damaged and underperforming designs fail, and suggest solutions and alternative designs to address these problems
- Engineer life-support systems for spacecraft
- Design aircraft and spacecraft propulsion systems
- Choose materials — such as composites, alloys, and polymers — to meet performance guidelines
- Analyze the aerodynamic performance of aircraft and spacecraft to ensure quality and identify areas for improvement
- Develop specialized applications, such as remote piloting systems for planes
- Set timelines and establish quality criteria for team engineering projects
Specific responsibilities vary depending on the aerospace engineering specialty. Engineers specializing in flights inside Earth’s atmosphere are known as aeronautical engineers and normally work with aircraft. In contrast, engineers specializing in flights beyond Earth’s atmosphere are known as astronautical engineers.
How to Become an Aerospace Engineer
Individuals considering becoming an aerospace engineer should understand the key steps in the process.
Undergraduate Education
Your journey toward aerospace engineering begins with a bachelor’s degree in the field or a related discipline such as physics. Aerospace engineers are expected to possess a range of analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills, which they can develop through engineering coursework that covers these topics in depth while providing opportunities to apply them in the real world.
It’s common for aerospace engineering jobs, especially at the entry level, to require only a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a bachelor’s degree in a similar field. However, earning a master’s degree can be beneficial in terms of the increased salary potential, wider network of professional contacts, and more in-depth study in a particular area of interest.
Postgraduate Education
Programs such as the University of California, Riverside’s Master of Science in Engineering build additional skills that pay off in advanced roles in fields such as aerospace engineering. Students can choose from multiple tracks — including mechanical, electrical, and nanotechnology engineering — to find one that corresponds to their interests, while also shoring up their overall competencies through the program’s core coursework.
All MSE candidates will complete four required courses — Engineering in the Global Environment, Technology Innovation and Strategy for Engineers, Introduction to Systems Engineering, and Principles of Engineering Management — that ensure students are experts on current engineering practices and approaches to leadership. Both the core and the specialization electives can be completed online, as can the capstone courses that empower MSE students to undertake a major research initiative.
Licensure
Most entry-level aerospace engineering jobs do not require licensure. However, engineers may wish to obtain a professional engineer (PE) license later in their careers. This license can open doors to advanced positions and higher salaries.
What Is the Average Salary of an Aerospace Engineer?
Individuals interested in this profession will likely want to know what the average salary of an aerospace engineer is.
In May 2021, the median annual wage for aerospace engineers was $122,270, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is well above the national average ($45,760) for all occupations. The median salary for aerospace engineers is also considerably higher than the median for all engineering occupations, which the BLS calculated at $99,040.
Pay varies by industry. Aerospace engineers employed in research and development in the engineering, life, and physical sciences sectors earned a median wage of $128,020, while aerospace engineers employed by the federal government had a median wage of $123,800, according to the BLS.
Employment of aerospace engineers was projected to grow by 8% from 2020 to 2030, the BLS notes, which is roughly on par with the average job growth projected for all professions during that period.
Take the Next Step Toward an Engineering Career
To command a competitive aerospace engineer salary, it’s crucial to have a strong educational background. The University of California, Riverside’s online Master of Science in Engineering program focuses on developing practical engineering skills, including in-demand competencies graduates need to succeed in the aerospace field. Explore the program and learn how it can help you soar to new heights in this exciting industry.
Sources:
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Aerospace Engineers