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The differences between flight test engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a flight test engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $90,538 average annual salary of a flight test engineer.
The top three skills for a flight test engineer include control room, data analysis and test procedures. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Flight Test Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,538 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $43.53 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 26,384 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A flight test engineer is primarily in charge of testing and overseeing aircraft performances, ensuring every aspect aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other governing agencies' policies and regulations. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and developing efficient test structures and criteria, examining mechanical and electrical systems, coordinating with other staff to gather necessary documentation, assessing risks, and identifying an aircraft's strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, as a flight test engineer, it is essential to analyze data and produce extensive reports that explain all test procedures and observations in detail.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Flight test engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flight Test Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $90,538 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $123,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a flight test engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Flight Test Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between flight test engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Flight Test Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |