Engineering
Aerospace engineering
Listed by colleges as Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Prepares you to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of aircraft, missiles, space vehicles, and their systems; applied research on flight and orbital characteristics; and the development of systems and procedures for the launching, guidance, and control of air and space vehicles.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 3 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
- Prepares you to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of aircraft, missiles, space vehicles, and their systems; applied research on flight and orbital characteristics; and the development of systems and procedures for the launching, guidance, and control of air and space vehicles.
- Astronautical Engineering
- Prepares you to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and operational evaluation of aircraft and space vehicles. Covers control systems, fluid dynamics, electrical circuits systems, orbital mechanics, propulsion, remote sensing, satellites, spacecraft centers, spacecraft systems engineering, and space exploration.
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, Other
- Aerospace, aeronautical, astronautical, or space engineering not listed above.
Also called Space Systems Engineering, Space Facilities Engineering, Missile Systems Engineering, Air-Breathing Propulsion, Aerospace Navigation, Rocket Propulsion
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Median pay
- $171,270
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.5%
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- 14,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
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- $109,270
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.8%
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To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career GrowingAerospace Engineers
- Median pay
- $134,960
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.3%
- Job openings a year
- 3,800
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Explore this career Growing fastAvionics Technicians
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- $82,280
- Hiring change through 2035
- 9.4%
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- 1,700
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing fastAerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Median pay
- $82,890
- Hiring change through 2035
- 11.9%
- Job openings a year
- 1,100
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $65,199 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
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