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Aerospace Engineering
6% job growth

Aerospace Engineering

One of the most technically challenging and rewarding fields — from commercial aviation to Mars missions.

Avg Salary
$98,000
Entry Level
$70,000
Senior Level
$175,000
Job Openings
65,000+

Salary Snapshot

Real-time salary data for Aerospace Engineering based on thousands of verified data points. Experience and location remain the biggest drivers of compensation.

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Entry-Level
$70,000
Strong starting potential

0-2 years of experience

Mid-Career (Avg)
$98,000
National Average

5-8 years of experience

Senior/Principal
$175,000
High earning ceiling

10+ years of experience

Top Skills for Aerospace Engineers

CFD
FEA
CATIA
Aerodynamics
Propulsion
Flight Mechanics
MATLAB/Simulink
Systems Engineering

Aerospace Engineering Career Path

Typical progression from entry-level to principal, with salary milestones

1
0–2 yrs
Aerospace Eng I
$70–85K
CATIA/SolidWorks
Propulsion Basics
Aerostructures
FEA
2
2–6 yrs
Systems / Structures Eng
$85–115K
Trade Studies
DO-178C
CFD (Fluent)
Test & Integration
3
6–12 yrs
Senior Aero Engineer
$115–155K
Subsystem Lead
Requirements Mgmt
Model-Based Systems Eng
DO-254
4
12+ yrs
Chief / Principal Engineer
$155–210K+
Program Tech Authority
Architecture
Major Bid Lead
FAA Relations

Best Aerospace Engineering Tools

View All Tools
$9,000

High-end PLM and CAD solution for complex surface modeling and systems engineering.

Best for: Aerospace and automotive OEMs

Advanced parametric 3D modeling with integrated simulation and rendering tools.

Best for: Mechanical design and complex assemblies

Multidisciplinary structural analysis application used by engineers for static and dynamic analysis.

Best for: Aerospace structural certification

Advanced high-end CAD/CAM/CAE for integrated product development.

Best for: High-end aerospace manufacturing

Top Employers for Aerospace Engineers

Total compensation ranges for mid-level to senior engineers

SpaceX
Commercial Space
$105–190K
Boeing Defense
Defense / Commercial
$95–175K
Lockheed Martin
Defense
$98–180K
NASA JPL
Government / Research
$100–180K
Northrop Grumman
Defense
$98–178K
Raytheon
Defense
$95–175K

Best Cities for Aerospace Engineers

Where the jobs and best salaries are concentrated

1
Los Angeles
2
Seattle
3
Huntsville AL
4
Houston
5
Denver
6
San Jose

Open Aerospace Engineering Jobs

The latest high-paying opportunities in your field

View All Aerospace Jobs
Full-time
$130k - $180k

Senior Engineering Lead

Global SystemsRemote
View Details
On-site
$110k - $150k

Project Manager

BuildCorpChicago, IL
View Details
Full-time
$70k - $95k

Junior Engineer

NextGen TechRemote
View Details

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Get notified as soon as new Aerospace roles matching your salary target are posted.

Top Rated Aerospace Courses

Expert-led training to master Aerospace engineering fundamentals

Browse All Courses
edX (Delft)
$199
Beginner · 8 weeks
Udemy
$25
Intermediate · 12 hours
Udemy
$28
Intermediate · 20 hours

Professional Certifications

Boost your credibility and earning potential with Aerospace-specific credentials

View All Certifications
+$7K Boost

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Easy
$225
Full guide
+$5K Boost

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)

Medium
$175
Full guide

Aerospace Engineering Specializations

Aerodynamics
Propulsion Systems
Avionics
Space Systems
Structures
Flight Dynamics
Guidance Navigation & Control
Aircraft Manufacturing

A Day in the Life of a Aerospace Engineer

Work ranges from CFD/FEA analysis and CATIA modeling to test campaign planning and reviewing flight or structural test data. Design reviews with systems engineering and safety teams are frequent, especially near major program milestones.

Browse Aerospace Jobs
2026 Industry Outlook

Commercial space (SpaceX, Blue Origin, and dozens of NewSpace startups) is the fastest-growing segment, alongside continued defense spending and a wave of next-gen aircraft programs.

6%
Projected Job Growth
65,000+
Open Positions

Aerospace Engineering Learning Roadmap

Step-by-step path from beginner to job-ready

Find Courses
1
Aerodynamics & structures fundamentals
Year 1-2

Build a strong base in fluid dynamics, structures, and orbital/flight mechanics.

2
Learn CATIA/CFD tools
Year 2-3

Get hands-on with CATIA, Ansys Fluent, or open-source CFD tools through class projects.

3
Research or internship experience
Year 3

Join a university research lab, rocketry club, or internship at an aerospace OEM.

4
Specialize & apply
Year 4+

Focus on propulsion, structures, or systems engineering and target OEMs or NewSpace companies.

Aerospace Engineering — Frequently Asked Questions

Is aerospace engineering a good career?

Yes, especially now with SpaceX, Blue Origin, and the commercial space boom creating thousands of new positions. Defense spending also keeps traditional aerospace robust.

Where do aerospace engineers work?

Primarily at Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and the DoD. Government agencies like NASA and the FAA are also major employers.

Ready to Start Your Aerospace Engineering Career?

Find the right courses, tools, and resources to get hired faster