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The differences between aircraft engineers and structural analysis 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 aircraft engineer and a structural analysis engineer. Additionally, a structural analysis engineer has an average salary of $98,208, which is higher than the $72,867 average annual salary of an aircraft engineer.
The top three skills for an aircraft engineer include DOD, aircraft systems and CAD. The most important skills for a structural analysis engineer are structural analysis, analysis tools, and structural integrity.
| Aircraft Engineer | Structural Analysis Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $72,867 | $98,208 |
| Hourly rate | $35.03 | $47.22 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 5,718 | 26,462 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An aircraft engineer oversees the design and assembly of an aircraft. Broadly, they are responsible for developing aircraft designs, testing and fine-tuning them, and ensuring safe practices during the assembly process. Specifically, this involves providing design drafts, meeting with executives to get feedback, and working in an engineering team to improve designs. They must consider aerodynamic principles, air safety, passenger comfort, and customer. This position requires an advanced degree and strong experience in the aviation field.
A Structural Analysis Engineer is responsible for evaluating the construction processes of establishments and other industrial properties and ensuring adherence to high-quality standards. Structural Analysis Engineers assess the materials and equipment used for the operations to confirm compliance with the budget limitations and timetables. They also check the structures and foundations of the construction and recommend techniques to enhance the element integrity. A Structural Analysis Engineer designs construction plans, conduct cost and statistical analysis, and coordinates with the clients for progress updates and any adjustments.
Aircraft engineers and structural analysis engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Aircraft Engineer | Structural Analysis Engineer | |
| Average salary | $72,867 | $98,208 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $99,000 | Between $66,000 And $145,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Joby Aviation | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an aircraft engineer and a structural analysis engineer in terms of educational background:
| Aircraft Engineer | Structural Analysis Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between aircraft engineers' and structural analysis engineers' demographics:
| Aircraft Engineer | Structural Analysis Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 10.8% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 19.4% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |