Aerospace engineers held about 57,600 jobs in 2007. Over 50% worked in the aircraft/parts and guided missile/space vehicle manufacturing industries. Federal Government agencies, primarily the DOD and NASA, provided almost 19% of 57,000 jobs. Engineering services, research and testing services, avionics and search and navigation equipment firms accounted for most of the remaining aerospace engineering employment.

Aerospace Engineering Employment Outlook

Employment of aerospace engineers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all other engineering occupations through 2013. The decline in DOD expenditures for military aircraft, missiles, avionics and other aerospace systems has restricted defense-related employment opportunities in recent years. However, increased defense spending in these areas is expected to result in increased employment of aerospace engineers in the private sector during the 2006-2015 period.

Demand should increase slightly for aerospace engineers to design and produce civilian aircraft, due to the need to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and to replace much of the present fleet with quieter and far more more fuel-efficient aircraft. Additional opportunities for aerospace engineers will be created with aircraft manufacturers to search for ways to use existing technology for new purposes. The only variable to level growth would be major airlines forced into financial problems due to high fuel costs, precluding new orders.

Some employment opportunities will occur in industries not typically associated with aerospace, such as motor vehicles. Most openings will result from the need to replace aerospace engineers who transfer to other occupations, are promoted or leave the labor force.

Aerospace Engineering Salaries

In 2007 the middle 50% earned between $59,740 and $91,210. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,270, and the highest 10% earned more than $119,980. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of aerospace engineers in 2007 were:

Federal Government: $77,230
Search and navigation equipment: $74,400
Aircraft, parts and components: $75,650
Guided missiles, space vehicles and parts: $72,240

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