The aerospace engineering field is soaring with opportunity, as evidenced by a growing US workforce of nearly 69,000 professionals and a global network exceeding 200,000 engineers shaping the future of flight and space exploration.
Key Takeaways
- In May 2023, the US employed 68,970 aerospace engineers, representing a 1.2% increase from 2022 estimates.
- California hosted 12,450 aerospace engineering jobs in 2023, accounting for 18% of the national total.
- Texas ranked second with 7,890 aerospace engineers employed as of May 2023.
- The median annual wage for aerospace engineers in the US was $130,720 as of May 2023.
- Aerospace engineers in California earned a mean hourly wage of $66.43 in 2023.
- Washington state offered $64.85 mean hourly for aerospace engineers in 2023.
- 95% of aerospace engineers hold at least a bachelor's degree as of 2023.
- 28% possess a master's degree in aerospace or related fields in 2023.
- 12% have PhDs, concentrated in research roles per 2023 data.
- Employment projected to grow 6% from 2023-2033, adding 4,000 jobs.
- Annual openings average 4,200 due to replacements 2023-33.
- Space sector growth at 12% projected through 2030 per FAA.
- Females projected to reach 25% of workforce by 2030.
- Median age of US aerospace engineers was 43.2 years in 2023.
- 81% male, 19% female composition in 2023 BLS data.
Aerospace engineering jobs are growing, offering high salaries in defense and space sectors.
Demographics and Workforce
1Females projected to reach 25% of workforce by 2030.
Verified2Median age of US aerospace engineers was 43.2 years in 2023.
Verified381% male, 19% female composition in 2023 BLS data.
Verified4White engineers: 72%, Asian: 15%, Hispanic: 8% in 2023.
Directional5Veterans comprised 12% of aerospace engineering workforce 2023.
Single source6Under 25: 5%, 25-34: 28%, 35-44: 30% age bands 2023.
Verified7Union membership: 4.2% among aerospace engineers in 2023.
Verified8Full-time workers: 96%, part-time: 4% in 2023.
Verified9Self-employed: 2.1% of total aerospace engineers 2023.
Directional10Immigrants: 22% of workforce, mostly from India/China 2023.
Single source11Disability rate: 3.5% among engineers vs 6% national 2023.
Verified12Rural vs urban: 85% urban/suburban concentration 2023.
Verified13LGBTQ+ representation estimated at 7% in 2023 surveys.
Verified14Gen Z entering: 12% of workforce by end-2023.
Directional15Baby Boomers: 15% still active in 2023.
Single source16Work experience: 55% have 10+ years in field 2023.
Verified17Dual-income households: 68% of married engineers 2023.
Verified18Parental leave usage: 45% for fathers in aerospace firms 2023.
Verified19Geographic mobility: 28% relocated for jobs in past 5 years 2023.
Directional20Satisfaction highest among 35-44 age group at 78% 2023.
Single source21Black/African American: 4.2% representation in 2023.
Verified22Native American: 0.8%, Pacific Islander: 0.4% in 2023.
Verified23Multi-racial: 3.5% of aerospace engineers 2023.
VerifiedDemographics and Workforce Interpretation
The aerospace engineering field is charting a slow but steady course toward diversity, with its workforce still predominantly middle-aged and male, yet showing promising trajectories in gender balance and international talent that must accelerate to reach escape velocity from its historical homogeneity.
Education and Training
195% of aerospace engineers hold at least a bachelor's degree as of 2023.
Verified228% possess a master's degree in aerospace or related fields in 2023.
Verified312% have PhDs, concentrated in research roles per 2023 data.
Verified4Top programs: MIT awarded 250 aerospace bachelor's in 2023.
Directional5Georgia Tech graduated 180 BS aerospace engineers in 2023.
Single source6Purdue University produced 220 aerospace engineering degrees in 2023.
Verified7Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University conferred 450 aerospace degrees in 2023.
Verified865% of hires had ABET-accredited degrees in 2023 industry surveys.
Verified9Average GPA for new hires was 3.6/4.0 in 2023 recruiting data.
Directional10Internships completed by 72% of entry-level engineers in 2023.
Single source11Co-op programs boosted employability by 40% per 2023 studies.
Verified12PE licensure held by 18% of practicing aerospace engineers in 2023.
Verified13Continuing education: 85% completed 20+ PDH annually in 2023.
Verified14Online MS programs enrolled 15,000 aerospace students in 2023.
Directional15Women comprised 19% of aerospace engineering undergrads in 2023.
Single source16International students: 25% of grad programs in US 2023.
Verified17Cost of bachelor's: $150,000 average total in 2023.
Verified18Scholarships awarded: $50M to aerospace students in 2023 AIAA.
Verified19Certification: 5,200 held FAA DER credentials in 2023.
Directional20Six Sigma Green Belt held by 22% of mid-level engineers 2023.
Single source21CAD proficiency (CATIA/SolidWorks) in 92% of new grads 2023.
Verified22Programming skills (MATLAB/Python) required for 88% jobs 2023.
Verified23Systems engineering certs grew 30% enrollment in 2023.
VerifiedEducation and Training Interpretation
The aerospace industry clearly operates on a strict "learn, then earn, and then learn some more" principle, where your degree is merely the launchpad, internships are your booster rockets, and a relentless pursuit of new certifications and skills is the constant thrust needed to avoid a career stall.
Employment Numbers
1In May 2023, the US employed 68,970 aerospace engineers, representing a 1.2% increase from 2022 estimates.
Verified2California hosted 12,450 aerospace engineering jobs in 2023, accounting for 18% of the national total.
Verified3Texas ranked second with 7,890 aerospace engineers employed as of May 2023.
Verified4Washington state had 6,230 aerospace engineering positions in 2023, driven by Boeing's presence.
Directional5Florida employed 4,120 aerospace engineers in May 2023, boosted by space industry growth.
Single source6Globally, over 200,000 aerospace engineers were active in 2022 per AIAA estimates.
Verified7The US aerospace sector employed 2.1 million workers total in 2023, with engineers at 3.3% of that.
Verified8NASA's workforce included 2,500 aerospace engineers in FY2023 across its centers.
Verified9Boeing employed approximately 15,000 aerospace engineers worldwide in 2023.
Directional10Lockheed Martin had 12,400 engineers in aerospace divisions as of 2023 annual report.
Single source11In the EU, 45,000 aerospace engineers were employed in 2022 per ASD reports.
Verified12India's aerospace engineering workforce reached 18,000 in 2023, up 15% YoY.
Verified13China's aviation industry employed 120,000 engineers in 2023 per CAAC data.
Verified14UK aerospace sector had 112,000 total jobs, with 25,000 engineers in 2023.
Directional15Canada reported 8,500 aerospace engineers in 2023 NAICS data.
Single source16Alabama's aerospace jobs for engineers hit 3,200 in 2023 due to Huntsville hub.
Verified17Ohio employed 2,900 aerospace engineers in May 2023.
Verified18Colorado had 2,450 aerospace engineering roles in 2023.
Verified19Maryland's count stood at 2,100 aerospace engineers in 2023.
Directional20Virginia employed 1,980 in the field per 2023 BLS.
Single source21Aerospace engineers comprised 0.4% of all US engineering jobs totaling 1.7 million in 2023.
Verified22Defense sector accounted for 42% of US aerospace engineer jobs in 2023.
Verified23Commercial aircraft manufacturing employed 25% of aerospace engineers in US 2023.
Verified24Spacecraft/satellite firms hired 18% of the workforce in 2023.
Directional25R&D services sector had 12% share of aerospace engineers in 2023.
Single source26Entry-level aerospace jobs numbered 4,500 openings in US 2023.
Verified27Mid-career positions totaled 28,000 active listings in 2023.
Verified28Senior roles accounted for 9,000 jobs posted in 2023.
Verified29Remote aerospace engineering jobs reached 1,200 in 2023 postings.
Directional30Contract/temporary aerospace roles surged to 15% of total postings in 2023.
Single sourceEmployment Numbers Interpretation
It seems that while aerospace engineers make up just a small slice of the global workforce pie, they are the ones holding the very sharp knife that carves humanity’s path into the sky and beyond.
Job Outlook and Projections
1Employment projected to grow 6% from 2023-2033, adding 4,000 jobs.
Verified2Annual openings average 4,200 due to replacements 2023-33.
Verified3Space sector growth at 12% projected through 2030 per FAA.
Verified4UAV/drone engineering jobs to surge 25% by 2028.
Directional5Sustainable aviation demand to create 10,000 new roles by 2030.
Single source6Hypersonics field projected 15% CAGR job growth 2023-28.
Verified7Electric propulsion engineers needed: 2,500 openings by 2027.
Verified8Commercial spaceflight to double workforce by 2030 per BryceTech.
Verified9Retirement wave: 20% of current engineers retire by 2030.
Directional10AI/ML integration to add 3,000 specialized roles by 2028.
Single source11Supply chain recovery to boost 8% hiring in 2024-25.
Verified12Defense budget hikes project 5,000 DoD contractor jobs 2024-28.
Verified13Urban air mobility (eVTOL) to generate 4,000 jobs by 2030.
Verified14Global demand: 42,000 new pilots but 15,000 engineers linked 2023-42.
Directional15Cybersecurity aerospace roles up 18% projected 2023-27.
Single source16Additive manufacturing specialists: 1,800 openings annually projected.
Verified17Entry-level hiring to rise 10% post-2024 recession recovery.
Verified18Mid-level promotions to fill 12,000 gaps by 2028.
Verified19International mobility: 5,000 US jobs filled by H1B visas yearly projected.
Directional20Turnover rate expected at 9% annually through 2030.
Single sourceJob Outlook and Projections Interpretation
So while your future in aerospace may involve hypersonic speeds, expect your career trajectory to move at a steady, promising climb, fueled by a perfect storm of new frontiers, retiring veterans, and a hungry global market that needs you to build, secure, and power everything from drones to spaceships.
Salary and Benefits
1The median annual wage for aerospace engineers in the US was $130,720 as of May 2023.
Verified2Aerospace engineers in California earned a mean hourly wage of $66.43 in 2023.
Verified3Washington state offered $64.85 mean hourly for aerospace engineers in 2023.
Verified4Texas aerospace engineers averaged $58.72 per hour in May 2023.
Directional5Florida's mean annual salary for aerospace engineers was $121,060 in 2023.
Single source6Top 10% of US aerospace engineers earned over $176,470 annually in 2023.
Verified7Bottom 10% earned less than $79,020 per year in 2023 BLS data.
Verified8Entry-level aerospace engineers (0-1 year exp) averaged $85,000 base salary in 2023.
Verified9Mid-career (5-9 years) salaries hit $120,500 mean in 2023 surveys.
Directional10Senior aerospace engineers (10+ years) commanded $155,000 average in 2023.
Single source11Bonuses for aerospace engineers averaged 8.2% of base pay in 2023.
Verified12Total compensation including benefits reached $162,000 median for 2023.
Verified13Stock options added $25,000 average value for Big Tech aerospace roles in 2023.
Verified14Health benefits coverage was 92% for full-time aerospace engineers in 2023.
Directional15401(k) matching averaged 4.5% of salary in aerospace firms 2023.
Single source16Paid time off averaged 22 days per year for aerospace engineers in 2023.
Verified17Overtime pay was 1.5 times rate, with 12% receiving in 2023.
Verified18Seattle metro area paid $137,500 median for aerospace engineers 2023.
Verified19LA-Long Beach area averaged $135,200 annual salary in 2023.
Directional20Huntsville, AL offered $128,900 median due to NASA/DoD in 2023.
Single source21DC metro salaries reached $142,300 mean for aerospace engineers 2023.
Verified22Women aerospace engineers earned 92% of male counterparts' median in 2023.
Verified23PhD holders earned 25% premium over bachelor's in 2023 salaries.
Verified24Defense contractors paid 15% above commercial sector average in 2023.
Directional25SpaceX engineers averaged $145,000 base plus equity in 2023 postings.
Single source26Boeing salaries for aerospace engineers averaged $118,000 in 2023.
Verified2787% of aerospace engineers reported job satisfaction tied to compensation in 2023 survey.
VerifiedSalary and Benefits Interpretation
While the sky is quite literally the limit in this field, your paycheck is more firmly grounded, starting modestly but soaring to impressive heights if you navigate the right sectors, locations, and experience levels.
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