How to Become an Aerospace Engineer?
Are you thinking of becoming an Aerospace Engineer or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become an Aerospace Engineer, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Aerospace Engineer job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become an Aerospace Engineer
If you're considering starting your Aerospace Engineer career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Aerospace Engineer and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Aerospace Engineer career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Aerospace Engineer career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. An Aerospace Engineer internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become an Aerospace Engineer?
74% of people working as an Aerospace Engineer earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be an Aerospace Engineer?
- Written Communication
- MATLAB
- Security Clearance
- Problem Solving
- Systems Development
- Flight Simulation
- Python MATLAB
- Scripting Languages
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Aerospace Engineer, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Aerospace Engineer field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Aerospace Engineer specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as an Aerospace Engineer
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Aerospace Engineer. In general, you can become an Aerospace Engineer after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Aerospace Engineer role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified principal engineer.4
Advance in Your Aerospace Engineer Career
Following entry-level, there are several Aerospace Engineer career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Aerospace Engineer to progress to the senior aerospace engineer position. Each advanced Aerospace Engineer position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Aerospace Engineer career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Aerospace Engineer career path.5
Continued Education for Your Aerospace Engineer Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Aerospace Engineer career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Electrical Engineering can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $138,675 compared to $65,371 for those without that type of degree.Aerospace Engineer Career Path
Aerospace Engineer
2 - 4Years of Experience
$105K - $190K /yrMost Likely Range
20% advanced to
Senior Aerospace Engineer
2 - 4Years of Experience
$154K - $263K /yrMost Likely Range
16% advanced to
Lead Aerospace Engineer
No Years of Experience Reports
$140K - $231K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Aerospace Engineer Career Path
New Grad Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
Senior Aerospace Engineer
Lead Aerospace Engineer
Principal Aerospace Engineer
Director of Aerospace Engineering
$90K
$150K
$210K
$270K
$390K
Are you paid fairly? Get a free, personalized salary estimate based on today's job market
Related Careers in the Engineering Industry
Interested in other Engineering careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Aerospace Engineer skills. Discover some of the most common Aerospace Engineer career transitions, along with skills overlap.