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The differences between aerodynamics engineers and field engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an aerodynamics engineer, becoming a field engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an aerodynamics engineer has an average salary of $99,629, which is higher than the $71,874 average annual salary of a field engineer.
The top three skills for an aerodynamics engineer include aerospace, MATLAB and computational fluid dynamics. The most important skills for a field engineer are customer service, customer satisfaction, and project management.
| Aerodynamics Engineer | Field Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,629 | $71,874 |
| Hourly rate | $47.90 | $34.55 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 20,152 | 86,015 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An aerodynamics engineer is an aerodynamics expert who specializes in designing and developing aircraft components and systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Among their responsibilities include conducting extensive research and analysis, developing prototypes and test structures, coordinating with experts, obtaining certifications, and complying with all the aviation laws and regulations. They may also gather and analyze data of existing systems and equipment to identify its strengths and weaknesses, implementing solutions against problem areas. Moreover, an aerodynamics engineer must perform regular maintenance checks and assessments while maintaining an active communication line with staff.
A field engineer's role will vary on the industry or line of work involved. However, the primary responsibility will mostly revolve around handling equipment and machinery, ensuring that they function effectively and safely. It is also the task of a field engineer to oversee the workflow and workforce, giving directions and recommendations when necessary. Furthermore, a field engineer must develop strategies and plans to improve the site's efficiency, produce progress reports, and coordinate with other workers.
Aerodynamics engineers and field engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aerodynamics Engineer | Field Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,629 | $71,874 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $142,000 | Between $51,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Gulfstream Aerospace | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between an aerodynamics engineer and a field engineer in terms of educational background:
| Aerodynamics Engineer | Field Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between aerodynamics engineers' and field engineers' demographics:
| Aerodynamics Engineer | Field Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 13.5% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |