How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in 2026
Quick answer: Becoming a aerospace engineer requires a 4-year degree - typically a ABET-accredited bachelor’s in aerospace or mechanical engineering. The national median pay is $134,960 per year, and BLS projects +6.1% employment change from 2024 to 2034 (BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Aerospace Engineer at a Glance
| Metric | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $134,960 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Typical wage range | $86,700 (10th pct) - $205,890 (90th pct) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected growth (2024-34) | +6.1% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
| Typical education | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in aerospace or mechanical engineering | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| License / certification | PE license for some roles; security clearance common in defense | State licensing boards |
What Does a Aerospace Engineer Do?
Aerospace engineers design, analyze, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and propulsion systems - from airframe structures to avionics integration - and oversee the manufacturing and certification work that A&P mechanics and technicians carry out.
Skills That Make a Great Aerospace Engineer
- Aerodynamics and flight mechanics
- Structural and fatigue analysis
- Aerospace materials and processes
- Systems integration and testing
- Certification standards (FAA/DO-178)
How to Become a Aerospace Engineer
1. Earn an ABET-accredited bachelor’s
Aerospace engineering, or mechanical engineering with an aerospace concentration.
2. Leverage your A&P experience
Certified mechanics bring airworthiness and systems knowledge most graduates lack.
3. Start in structures, propulsion, or test
Airframers, engine makers, defense contractors, and the FAA hire at the bachelor’s level.
4. Consider a clearance path
Defense roles often require U.S. citizenship and a security clearance.
5. Advance
Senior engineer, certification (DER) authority, or engineering management.
Why an Online Degree Works for This Career
For aviation maintenance technicians, the aerospace engineering bachelor’s converts hands-on airframe and powerplant knowledge into design authority. ABET-accredited online programs (often via mechanical engineering with an aerospace track) serve working technicians, and defense employers prize the maintenance background.
Aerospace Engineer Salary
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $86,700 |
| 25th | $106,110 |
| 50th (median) | $134,960 |
| 75th | $169,690 |
| 90th | $205,890 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 71,600 |
| 2034 projected | 75,900 |
| Percent change | +6.1% |
Cost and Time to Complete the Degree
For aerospace engineers, the credential is: ABET-accredited bachelor’s in aerospace or mechanical engineering. A bachelor’s degree is typically 120 credit hours: four years full-time, and commonly five to six years part-time while working. Transfer credit is the other lever: prior college, military training, apprenticeship coursework, and industry certifications can be worth a year or more at transfer-friendly schools, so get a written transfer evaluation before enrolling anywhere. Costs vary widely by school type; in-state public online programs are usually the value benchmark, and employer tuition assistance is common for working adults in this field.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Aerospace Engineer
Pros
- Median pay of $134,960 nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- BLS projects +6.1% employment growth through 2034
- Field experience from the trades is a genuine hiring advantage
- Accredited online and hybrid degree paths exist for working adults
Cons
- Requires a 4-year degree (typically 120 credit hours)
- Entry-level pay starts near $86,700 at the 10th percentile
- Licensing hurdle: PE license for some roles; security clearance common in defense
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an aircraft mechanic become an aerospace engineer?
Yes - A&P experience is directly relevant and valued. The requirement is the ABET-accredited bachelor's; online and evening programs exist for working technicians.
How much do aerospace engineers make?
The national median annual wage for aerospace engineers is $134,960 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The top 10% earn $205,890 or more, while entry-level pay starts around $86,700.
What is the job outlook for aerospace engineers?
BLS projects employment of aerospace engineers to change by +6.1% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Aerospace Engineer Salary and Requirements by State
Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Nebraska · Nevada · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · Wisconsin
Related Trade Careers
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Aerospace Engineers (SOC 17-2011)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Aerospace Engineer Salary by State
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |