The job market for aerospace engineers in the United States

There are currently an estimated 69,600 aerospace engineers in the United States. The aerospace engineer job market is expected to grow by 6.0% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are aerospace engineers?

CareerExplorer rates aerospace engineers with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 7,800 aerospace engineers. That number is based on 4,200 additional aerospace engineers, and the retirement of 3,600 existing aerospace engineers.

Are aerospace engineers in demand?

While overall demand for aerospace engineers is projected to be weak, expected opportunities will stem largely from the need to replace retirees and the necessity to hire U.S. citizens because of the security clearances required for jobs related to national defense. The impetus to redesign commercial aircraft to decrease noise pollution and increase fuel efficiency should create some openings for engineers who work on engines and propulsion systems. However, mergers of defense contractors and slowdowns in manufacturing sectors may temper this growth. The emergence of private civilian companies developing low-orbit and beyond-earth-orbit technologies for human and robotic space travel will add a small number of openings in the field, specifically for aerospace engineers familiar with modeling, simulation, and robotics. Another marginal increase in job opportunities may occur for those trained in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, which enables design testing in a less costly digital environment. On the other hand, this technology may lead to a reduction in the number of engineers hired to conduct more traditional testing. While a Bachelor’s Degree is the minimal educational requirement for entry-level positions in the field, aerospace engineers who offer services directly to the public and aspire to increasingly responsible roles must earn a professional engineer license and the designation ‘PE.’ Of course, those with a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. will further widen their employment options, particularly in research and teaching. Through membership in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), aerospace engineers have access to continuing education and networking programs, both of which are imperative in this always-competitive job market.

What’s the supply of aerospace engineers?

The aerospace engineer industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Alabama

Aerospace Engineer job market by state