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The differences between avionics engineers and aircraft 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 avionics engineer and an aircraft engineer. Additionally, an avionics engineer has an average salary of $95,470, which is higher than the $72,867 average annual salary of an aircraft engineer.
The top three skills for an avionics engineer include FAA, avionics systems and electrical systems. The most important skills for an aircraft engineer are DOD, aircraft systems, and CAD.
| Avionics Engineer | Aircraft Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $95,470 | $72,867 |
| Hourly rate | $45.90 | $35.03 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 30,744 | 5,718 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Avionics engineers and aircraft engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Avionics Engineer | Aircraft Engineer | |
| Average salary | $95,470 | $72,867 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $135,000 | Between $53,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Englewood, CO | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Colorado | California |
| Best paying company | Allegiant International | Joby Aviation |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an avionics engineer and an aircraft engineer in terms of educational background:
| Avionics Engineer | Aircraft Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Aerospace Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between avionics engineers' and aircraft engineers' demographics:
| Avionics Engineer | Aircraft Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| 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, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 10.8% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |