GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Aerospace Industry Statistics

Aerospace industry faces skilled labor shortages, diversifies, automates, invests heavily.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The average salary for aerospace engineers in the US was $118,500 in 2022

Statistic 2

The gender pay gap in aerospace engineering roles is approximately 12%, with companies actively working to reduce it

Statistic 3

The aerospace industry is projected to create over 2 million new jobs globally by 2038

Statistic 4

The total employment in aerospace manufacturing in the US was over 500,000 in 2022

Statistic 5

Aerospace industry reported a 12% increase in remote working policies for HR staff during the pandemic

Statistic 6

The demand for cybersecurity specialists in aerospace HR departments has grown by 25% over the past two years

Statistic 7

The global aerospace workforce is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% through 2030

Statistic 8

The percentage of aerospace companies adopting flexible work arrangements reached 65% in 2023

Statistic 9

Public sector aerospace employment grew by 2% in 2022, while private sector saw a 4% decline

Statistic 10

The number of apprenticeships in aerospace manufacturing increased by 22% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 11

The rate of internal mobility within aerospace companies is 35%, with higher rates observed in large multinational firms

Statistic 12

Approximately 85% of aerospace companies report difficulty in recruiting skilled engineers

Statistic 13

30% of aerospace HR managers reported challenges in retaining skilled technicians

Statistic 14

The turnover rate in aerospace manufacturing is around 9%, lower than the manufacturing industry average of 15%

Statistic 15

Over 70% of aerospace firms are actively recruiting international talent to fill skilled positions

Statistic 16

25% of aerospace companies use AI-driven HR tools for recruitment and talent management

Statistic 17

The retention rate for aerospace technicians after 3 years is approximately 85%, higher than in manufacturing industries

Statistic 18

About 60% of aerospace HR managers report difficulties in succession planning

Statistic 19

45% of HR professionals in aerospace report that workforce attrition is their biggest challenge

Statistic 20

Approximately 60% of aerospace companies report difficulty in finding qualified candidates for senior management positions

Statistic 21

The average tenure of HR directors in the aerospace industry is around 4.5 years, indicating relatively high turnover

Statistic 22

Nearly 80% of aerospace HR managers believe automation will significantly impact their recruitment processes in the next decade

Statistic 23

Over 50% of aerospace companies report using data analytics to improve HR decision-making

Statistic 24

About 25% of aerospace firms report increased investments in employee wellness programs in 2023

Statistic 25

43% of aerospace HR teams plan to increase their focus on sustainability initiatives as part of their corporate responsibility

Statistic 26

60% of aerospace HR departments cite talent acquisition as their biggest strategic priority for 2023

Statistic 27

The aerospace sector invests approximately 4% of its revenue into R&D annually

Statistic 28

65% of aerospace companies offer apprenticeships or vocational training programs

Statistic 29

40% of aerospace companies plan to increase their use of automation in HR processes within the next 5 years

Statistic 30

Employee training hours per aerospace worker increased by 15% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 31

The use of simulation-based training in aerospace HR programs increased by 30% between 2018 and 2022

Statistic 32

55% of aerospace HR departments report challenges in aligning employee skills with evolving technological requirements

Statistic 33

Aerospace industry is investing approximately $1 billion annually in workforce development programs worldwide

Statistic 34

The percentage of aerospace employees receiving ongoing technical training is 70%, up from 55% five years prior

Statistic 35

The implementation of digital HR platforms in aerospace companies increased by 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 36

The adoption of e-learning platforms for aerospace technical training increased by 33% during 2020-2022

Statistic 37

About 15% of aerospace HR professionals are certified in HR-specific disciplines such as SHRM or HRCI, indicating room for growth in HR specialization

Statistic 38

The average age of aerospace manufacturing workers is 45 years, with a significant portion nearing retirement

Statistic 39

Women represent about 20% of the aerospace workforce, with a goal to reach 30% by 2030

Statistic 40

Aerospace companies with diversity & inclusion programs report 20% higher employee satisfaction

Statistic 41

Roughly 15% of aerospace HR budgets are allocated to diversity recruitment initiatives

Statistic 42

The aerospace industry has seen a 20% increase in women pursuing STEM degrees related to aerospace careers in the last decade

Statistic 43

35% of aerospace companies have implemented mental health support programs for employees

Statistic 44

The average age of aerospace HR professionals is 41 years, with a 5% increase in early-career HR personnel over recent years

Statistic 45

Approximately 70% of aerospace employees believe their companies are committed to diversity and inclusion, though only 45% feel they are sufficiently represented

Statistic 46

52% of aerospace companies have established early talent pipelines through partnerships with universities

Statistic 47

The ratio of HR staff to total employees in aerospace companies is approximately 1:50, reflecting lean HR teams relative to workforce size

Slide 1 of 47

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The aerospace industry is projected to create over 2 million new jobs globally by 2038
Approximately 85% of aerospace companies report difficulty in recruiting skilled engineers
The average age of aerospace manufacturing workers is 45 years, with a significant portion nearing retirement
Women represent about 20% of the aerospace workforce, with a goal to reach 30% by 2030
The aerospace sector invests approximately 4% of its revenue into R&D annually
65% of aerospace companies offer apprenticeships or vocational training programs
The total employment in aerospace manufacturing in the US was over 500,000 in 2022
30% of aerospace HR managers reported challenges in retaining skilled technicians
The turnover rate in aerospace manufacturing is around 9%, lower than the manufacturing industry average of 15%
40% of aerospace companies plan to increase their use of automation in HR processes within the next 5 years
Over 70% of aerospace firms are actively recruiting international talent to fill skilled positions
Aerospace industry reported a 12% increase in remote working policies for HR staff during the pandemic
The average salary for aerospace engineers in the US was $118,500 in 2022

The aerospace industry is soaring to new heights, with over 2 million jobs projected globally by 2038 amidst ongoing challenges in recruiting skilled engineers, fostering diversity, and leveraging innovative HR technologies to secure its future workforce.

Compensation and Salary Insights

The average salary for aerospace engineers in the US was $118,500 in 2022
The gender pay gap in aerospace engineering roles is approximately 12%, with companies actively working to reduce it

Compensation and Salary Insights Interpretation

With an average salary of $118,500 in 2022, aerospace engineers are reaching for the stars, but a 12% gender pay gap reminds us there's still some ground to cover before equality is truly among the constellation.

Employment Trends and Industry Growth

The aerospace industry is projected to create over 2 million new jobs globally by 2038
The total employment in aerospace manufacturing in the US was over 500,000 in 2022
Aerospace industry reported a 12% increase in remote working policies for HR staff during the pandemic
The demand for cybersecurity specialists in aerospace HR departments has grown by 25% over the past two years
The global aerospace workforce is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% through 2030
The percentage of aerospace companies adopting flexible work arrangements reached 65% in 2023
Public sector aerospace employment grew by 2% in 2022, while private sector saw a 4% decline
The number of apprenticeships in aerospace manufacturing increased by 22% from 2019 to 2022
The rate of internal mobility within aerospace companies is 35%, with higher rates observed in large multinational firms

Employment Trends and Industry Growth Interpretation

As the aerospace industry soars towards a projected 2 million new jobs by 2038, it’s clear that innovation isn’t just happening in the sky but also on the ground, where a shift to remote work, cybersecurity reliance, and growing internal mobility are fueling a dynamic workforce eager for lift-off in both traditional and flexible roles.

Recruitment, Retention, and Employee Engagement

Approximately 85% of aerospace companies report difficulty in recruiting skilled engineers
30% of aerospace HR managers reported challenges in retaining skilled technicians
The turnover rate in aerospace manufacturing is around 9%, lower than the manufacturing industry average of 15%
Over 70% of aerospace firms are actively recruiting international talent to fill skilled positions
25% of aerospace companies use AI-driven HR tools for recruitment and talent management
The retention rate for aerospace technicians after 3 years is approximately 85%, higher than in manufacturing industries
About 60% of aerospace HR managers report difficulties in succession planning
45% of HR professionals in aerospace report that workforce attrition is their biggest challenge
Approximately 60% of aerospace companies report difficulty in finding qualified candidates for senior management positions
The average tenure of HR directors in the aerospace industry is around 4.5 years, indicating relatively high turnover
Nearly 80% of aerospace HR managers believe automation will significantly impact their recruitment processes in the next decade
Over 50% of aerospace companies report using data analytics to improve HR decision-making
About 25% of aerospace firms report increased investments in employee wellness programs in 2023
43% of aerospace HR teams plan to increase their focus on sustainability initiatives as part of their corporate responsibility
60% of aerospace HR departments cite talent acquisition as their biggest strategic priority for 2023

Recruitment, Retention, and Employee Engagement Interpretation

Despite soaring ambitions and a global talent hunt, the aerospace industry’s HR landscape resembles a high-tech game of musical chairs—struggling to find qualified engineers and senior managers while leveraging AI and analytics to assemble a workforce that’s as resilient as their aircraft, all amid fierce competition, retention battles, and a push towards sustainability.

Training, Development, and Digital Adoption

The aerospace sector invests approximately 4% of its revenue into R&D annually
65% of aerospace companies offer apprenticeships or vocational training programs
40% of aerospace companies plan to increase their use of automation in HR processes within the next 5 years
Employee training hours per aerospace worker increased by 15% from 2019 to 2022
The use of simulation-based training in aerospace HR programs increased by 30% between 2018 and 2022
55% of aerospace HR departments report challenges in aligning employee skills with evolving technological requirements
Aerospace industry is investing approximately $1 billion annually in workforce development programs worldwide
The percentage of aerospace employees receiving ongoing technical training is 70%, up from 55% five years prior
The implementation of digital HR platforms in aerospace companies increased by 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic
The adoption of e-learning platforms for aerospace technical training increased by 33% during 2020-2022
About 15% of aerospace HR professionals are certified in HR-specific disciplines such as SHRM or HRCI, indicating room for growth in HR specialization

Training, Development, and Digital Adoption Interpretation

Despite investing a billion dollars annually in workforce development and boosting employee training by 15%, the aerospace industry is still navigating the turbulence of skill alignment and digitization, all while pioneering automation and e-learning—proving that in aerospace, reaching new heights requires continually recalibrating the human element amidst rapid technological ascents.

Workforce Demographics and Diversity

The average age of aerospace manufacturing workers is 45 years, with a significant portion nearing retirement
Women represent about 20% of the aerospace workforce, with a goal to reach 30% by 2030
Aerospace companies with diversity & inclusion programs report 20% higher employee satisfaction
Roughly 15% of aerospace HR budgets are allocated to diversity recruitment initiatives
The aerospace industry has seen a 20% increase in women pursuing STEM degrees related to aerospace careers in the last decade
35% of aerospace companies have implemented mental health support programs for employees
The average age of aerospace HR professionals is 41 years, with a 5% increase in early-career HR personnel over recent years
Approximately 70% of aerospace employees believe their companies are committed to diversity and inclusion, though only 45% feel they are sufficiently represented
52% of aerospace companies have established early talent pipelines through partnerships with universities
The ratio of HR staff to total employees in aerospace companies is approximately 1:50, reflecting lean HR teams relative to workforce size

Workforce Demographics and Diversity Interpretation

While the aerospace industry soars with growing female STEM interest and D&I programs boosting employee morale, it faces the critical challenge of an aging workforce and limited HR resources, underscoring the urgent need for strategic talent and inclusion initiatives to sustain its upward trajectory.