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The differences between aerospace engineers and avionics 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 aerospace engineer and an avionics engineer. Additionally, an aerospace engineer has an average salary of $100,401, which is higher than the $95,470 average annual salary of an avionics engineer.
The top three skills for an aerospace engineer include C++, DOD and FAA. The most important skills for an avionics engineer are FAA, avionics systems, and electrical systems.
| Aerospace Engineer | Avionics Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,401 | $95,470 |
| Hourly rate | $48.27 | $45.90 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 42,086 | 30,744 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An aerospace engineer specializes in designing, maintaining, and repairing aircraft and spacecraft. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting tests and procedures to identify faults and inconsistencies, lead production processes, performing repairs and improvements, designing systems, and ensuring that all equipment complies with the safety regulations and standards. They are also responsible for producing technical materials such as reports, proposals, and manuals. Furthermore, there are instances where they must set the policies and standards on the equipment they are developing while utilizing their expertise in mathematics, engineering, and sciences.
Avionics Engineers are responsible for the design and development of avionics systems. They are involved in implementing economic and innovative techniques for avionic systems manufacturing, testing all parts and systems, rectifying faulty parts, and scheduling maintenance and inspection. They also prepare progress reports to update stakeholders involved, assist in proposals and bid preparation, and develop training programs for their junior engineering staff. Avionics Engineers must always comply with government regulations and industry best practices.
Aerospace engineers and avionics engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aerospace Engineer | Avionics Engineer | |
| Average salary | $100,401 | $95,470 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $140,000 | Between $67,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Englewood, CO |
| Highest paying state | Arizona | Colorado |
| Best paying company | Thrush Aircraft | Allegiant International |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an aerospace engineer and an avionics engineer in terms of educational background:
| Aerospace Engineer | Avionics Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between aerospace engineers' and avionics engineers' demographics:
| Aerospace Engineer | Avionics Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2% | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 11.0% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 11.0% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |