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The differences between propulsion engineers and stress 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 a stress engineer. Additionally, a stress engineer has an average salary of $107,036, 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 a stress engineer are finite element analysis, structural analysis, and autocad.
| Propulsion Engineer | Stress Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,475 | $107,036 |
| Hourly rate | $47.34 | $51.46 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 45,629 | 36,117 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| 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.
A stress engineer specializes in conducting analysis and assessments on structures and components, mainly using stress to test its structural integrity. They may work in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and even medical. Although their duties may vary upon the industry, they are typically in charge of performing extensive research and analysis, coordinating with architects and engineers, designing and building prototypes, and maintaining records of all procedures. Furthermore, a stress engineer must produce detailed progress and findings reports in adherence to project deadlines and company policies.
Propulsion engineers and stress engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Propulsion Engineer | Stress Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,475 | $107,036 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $138,000 | Between $73,000 And $156,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | CTS |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between a propulsion engineer and a stress engineer in terms of educational background:
| Propulsion Engineer | Stress Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between propulsion engineers' and stress engineers' demographics:
| Propulsion Engineer | Stress Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| 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, 3.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 19.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |