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The differences between propulsion engineers and avionics systems 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 propulsion engineer and an avionics systems engineer. Additionally, an avionics systems engineer has an average salary of $99,014, which is higher than the $98,475 average annual salary of a propulsion engineer.
The top three skills for a propulsion engineer include propulsion system, CAD and MATLAB. The most important skills for an avionics systems engineer are avionics systems, FAA, and system integration.
| Propulsion Engineer | Avionics Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,475 | $99,014 |
| Hourly rate | $47.34 | $47.60 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 45,629 | 80,025 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Propulsion Engineer is responsible for inspecting the condition and stability of rocket engines and control systems within the aerospace industry. They create engine systems by utilizing various software applications and tools for construction. They also identify cost-reduction materials and techniques by negotiating contracts and agreements with trusted suppliers and vendors. A Propulsion Engineer must have excellent technical and mechanical skills to resolve engine issues and conduct preventive maintenance to prevent operational delays and potential hazards.
Avionics systems engineers conduct research development problems associated with aviation, essentially instrument landing systems and other safety instruments for aircraft vehicles. They are a subspecialty of the field of aerospace engineering. They also inspect, adjust, test, and repair electronic components of aircraft flight-control systems, navigation, and communication and compile maintenance and overhaul records of the work they do. Avionics systems engineer also adjusts frequencies of the communications apparatus when performing periodic checks on those frequency settings.
Propulsion engineers and avionics systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Propulsion Engineer | Avionics Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,475 | $99,014 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $138,000 | Between $76,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a propulsion engineer and an avionics systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Propulsion Engineer | Avionics Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between propulsion engineers' and avionics systems engineers' demographics:
| Propulsion Engineer | Avionics Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 68.8% 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% |