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The differences between spacecraft systems 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 spacecraft systems engineer and an aerospace engineer. Additionally, an aerospace engineer has an average salary of $100,401, which is higher than the $96,404 average annual salary of a spacecraft systems engineer.
The top three skills for a spacecraft systems engineer include systems engineering, MATLAB and spacecraft systems. The most important skills for an aerospace engineer are C++, DOD, and FAA.
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Aerospace Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,404 | $100,401 |
| Hourly rate | $46.35 | $48.27 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 78,004 | 42,086 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A spacecraft system engineer develops simulations and performs analysis. They create design documents and work with teams to carry out projects. They must also maintain amicable relationships with customers.
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.
Spacecraft systems engineers and aerospace engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Aerospace Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,404 | $100,401 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $128,000 | 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 spacecraft systems engineer and an aerospace engineer in terms of educational background:
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Aerospace Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Aerospace Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between spacecraft systems engineers' and aerospace engineers' demographics:
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Aerospace Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 10.9% White, 68.9% 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% |