Aerodynamicist vs propulsion engineer

The differences between aerodynamicists and propulsion engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an aerodynamicist and a propulsion engineer. Additionally, a propulsion engineer has an average salary of $98,475, which is higher than the $79,081 average annual salary of an aerodynamicist.

The top three skills for an aerodynamicist include CAD, computational fluid dynamics and analysis tools. The most important skills for a propulsion engineer are propulsion system, CAD, and MATLAB.

Aerodynamicist vs propulsion engineer overview

	Aerodynamicist	Propulsion Engineer
Yearly salary	$79,081	$98,475
Hourly rate	$38.02	$47.34
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	1,320	45,629
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Aerodynamicist vs propulsion engineer salary

Aerodynamicists and propulsion engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Aerodynamicist	Propulsion Engineer
Average salary	$79,081	$98,475
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $145,000	Between $70,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between aerodynamicist and propulsion engineer education

There are a few differences between an aerodynamicist and a propulsion engineer in terms of educational background:

	Aerodynamicist	Propulsion Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Aerospace Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	Georgia Institute of Technology	Georgia Institute of Technology

Aerodynamicist vs propulsion engineer demographics

Here are the differences between aerodynamicists' and propulsion engineers' demographics:

	Aerodynamicist	Propulsion Engineer
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%	Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 12.1% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between aerodynamicist and propulsion engineer duties and responsibilities

Aerodynamicist example responsibilities.

Visualize results via Tecplot, to confirm data with other sub-teams and achieve maximum performance.
Manage hardware and software development, integration, and support of the HIL simulation laboratory.
Fabricate parts for test pod using Haas CNC machines.
Provide design system development and maintenance services for a turbine OEM.
Develop a moisture loss model for use in an OEM's turbine design system.
Conduct simulations and evaluations of complex, multiphase, compressible flows in the design of turbomachinery.

Propulsion engineer example responsibilities.

Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
Conduct FEA of design components.
Derive equations that are input to MATLAB for results.
Lead RF design/test engineer for structurally integrate AESA prototype.
Support customer usage duty cycle group with calculation of suspension loads.
Flight test and prepare paper works and document for aircraft engine flight certification with FAA.

Aerodynamicist vs propulsion engineer skills

Common aerodynamicist skills

CAD, 34%
Computational Fluid Dynamics, 21%
Analysis Tools, 12%
Aided Design, 12%
Tecplot, 7%
Ansa, 4%

Common propulsion engineer skills

Propulsion System, 15%
CAD, 10%
MATLAB, 10%
Test Data, 6%
NASA, 5%
CFD, 4%