Aircraft & spacecraft systems
Aerospace Engineer
Extraordinary work, concentrated in a handful of places.
Typical pay
$85k-$155k
How you get in
ABET bachelor's in aerospace or mechanical engineering
Outlook
Strong; defense spending and commercial space both growing
Average openings
59/100Fewer openings per worker than the average job, and the field is growing.
JobPOVs index, calculated from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025-2035 for Aerospace engineers. It measures how many openings arise each year relative to the size of the field — not how many people apply. BLS does not publish a saturation figure.
Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft and propulsion systems. The work is genuinely remarkable and geographically concentrated, and much of it requires US citizenship and a security clearance.
A day in the life
8:00a – 4:00p · 8 hours
- 8:00aReview analysis results from overnight simulation runs
- 9:30aStructural or aerodynamic modeling
- 11:30aDesign review with systems engineering
- 1:00pLunch
- 2:00pTest planning and requirements verification
- 4:00pDocumentation — heavily regulated and thorough
How to get in
Aerospace engineering degree
Duration
4-5 years
Cost
$40,000-$200,000
Credential
BS in aerospace engineering (ABET-accredited)
- Complete an ABET-accredited aerospace or mechanical engineering degree
- Join design-build-fly or rocketry teams — these matter for hiring
- Intern with a manufacturer, defense contractor or NASA center
- Expect to relocate to where the industry is concentrated
Mechanical engineering into aerospace
Duration
4-6 years
Cost
$40,000-$180,000
Credential
BS in mechanical engineering
- Complete a mechanical engineering degree, which is more broadly employable
- Take aerospace electives in aerodynamics, propulsion and structures
- Enter the industry through structures, thermal or manufacturing roles
- Keeps other industries open if aerospace programs contract
Military and clearance route
Duration
4-10 years
Cost
$0-$180,000
Credential
Degree plus security clearance
- Serve in a technical military role, or complete a degree
- Obtain a security clearance, which is a substantial hiring advantage
- Cleared engineers are in persistent short supply
- Defense contractors will often sponsor clearances for strong candidates
What people love
- · Genuinely extraordinary engineering problems
- · Strong pay and job stability
- · Defense funding provides consistency
- · Commercial space has expanded opportunities considerably
What wears people down
- · Jobs concentrated in a few states
- · Most roles require citizenship and clearance
- · Slow development cycles and heavy documentation
- · Program cancellations cause layoffs