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The differences between aerodynamics engineers and manufacturing 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 manufacturing engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an aerodynamics engineer has an average salary of $99,629, which is higher than the $78,522 average annual salary of a manufacturing engineer.
The top three skills for an aerodynamics engineer include aerospace, MATLAB and computational fluid dynamics. The most important skills for a manufacturing engineer are lean manufacturing, CAD, and solidworks.
| Aerodynamics Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,629 | $78,522 |
| Hourly rate | $47.90 | $37.75 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 20,152 | 115,384 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| 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.
Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for handling and developing an efficient manufacturing system or procedure that will help a company produce up to standard products while in adherence to the policies, regulations, and expected cost and schedule. Furthermore, Manufacturing Engineers must also monitor quality control, identify or detect errors, provide and suggest improvements, oversee the procurement of materials involved in the production, and coordinate with various teams or departments within the company to ensure the effectiveness of innovations or new developments.
Aerodynamics engineers and manufacturing engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aerodynamics Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,629 | $78,522 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $142,000 | Between $60,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Gulfstream Aerospace | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an aerodynamics engineer and a manufacturing engineer in terms of educational background:
| Aerodynamics Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between aerodynamics engineers' and manufacturing engineers' demographics:
| Aerodynamics Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2% |
| 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, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 17.0% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |