Aerodynamicist vs simulation engineer

The differences between aerodynamicists and simulation 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 simulation engineer. Additionally, a simulation engineer has an average salary of $97,266, 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 simulation engineer are python, MATLAB, and simulink.

Aerodynamicist vs simulation engineer overview

	Aerodynamicist	Simulation Engineer
Yearly salary	$79,081	$97,266
Hourly rate	$38.02	$46.76
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	1,320	46,570
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Aerodynamicist vs simulation engineer salary

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

	Aerodynamicist	Simulation Engineer
Average salary	$79,081	$97,266
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $145,000	Between $70,000 And $133,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Meta
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between aerodynamicist and simulation engineer education

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

	Aerodynamicist	Simulation Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Aerospace Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	Georgia Institute of Technology	Georgia Institute of Technology

Aerodynamicist vs simulation engineer demographics

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

	Aerodynamicist	Simulation Engineer
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
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, 4.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 16.4% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between aerodynamicist and simulation 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.

Simulation engineer example responsibilities.

Manage hardware and software development, integration, and support of the HIL simulation laboratory.
Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
Create numerous SBIR/STTR proposals for NASA and DOD.
Train clients in the usage of engineering software such as AutoCAD and MATLAB.
Integrate aircraft and telescope physics base sensor models using C++ and Java programming languages.
Integrate a Lockheed develop discrimination model (SIMULINK generate C++ code) into the simulation to provide additional fidelity.

Aerodynamicist vs simulation engineer skills

Common aerodynamicist skills

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

Common simulation engineer skills

Python, 14%
MATLAB, 6%
Simulink, 6%
Java, 5%
Systems Engineering, 4%
Linux, 4%