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The differences between flight controls engineers and aerospace engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a flight controls engineer and an aerospace engineer. Additionally, an aerospace engineer has an average salary of $100,401, which is higher than the $99,619 average annual salary of a flight controls engineer.
The top three skills for a flight controls engineer include C++, FAA and flight control systems. The most important skills for an aerospace engineer are C++, DOD, and FAA.
| Flight Controls Engineer | Aerospace Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,619 | $100,401 |
| Hourly rate | $47.89 | $48.27 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 46,807 | 42,086 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The main task of a flight controls engineer is to monitor the instrument systems of an airplane during the flight. Flight controls engineers communicate with dispatchers, assist the pilot, oversee the fuel, and regulate cabin pressure. They work on the design, state flow testing, and module of the flight control system. Their job includes investigating, recommending, and implementing flight control system solutions. They perform data analysis to ensure compliance with FAA. Also, they provide solutions to issues affecting the operations and developments of flights.
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.
Flight controls engineers and aerospace engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flight Controls Engineer | Aerospace Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,619 | $100,401 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $130,000 | Between $71,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Arizona |
| Best paying company | - | Thrush Aircraft |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a flight controls engineer and an aerospace engineer in terms of educational background:
| Flight Controls Engineer | Aerospace Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Aerospace Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between flight controls engineers' and aerospace engineers' demographics:
| Flight Controls Engineer | Aerospace Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 13.0% White, 67.3% 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% |