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The differences between spacecraft systems engineers and aircraft 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 aircraft engineer. Additionally, a spacecraft systems engineer has an average salary of $96,404, which is higher than the $72,867 average annual salary of an aircraft engineer.
The top three skills for a spacecraft systems engineer include systems engineering, MATLAB and spacecraft systems. The most important skills for an aircraft engineer are DOD, aircraft systems, and CAD.
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Aircraft Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,404 | $72,867 |
| Hourly rate | $46.35 | $35.03 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 78,004 | 5,718 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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 aircraft engineer oversees the design and assembly of an aircraft. Broadly, they are responsible for developing aircraft designs, testing and fine-tuning them, and ensuring safe practices during the assembly process. Specifically, this involves providing design drafts, meeting with executives to get feedback, and working in an engineering team to improve designs. They must consider aerodynamic principles, air safety, passenger comfort, and customer. This position requires an advanced degree and strong experience in the aviation field.
Spacecraft systems engineers and aircraft engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Aircraft Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,404 | $72,867 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $128,000 | Between $53,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Joby Aviation |
| Best paying industry | - | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a spacecraft systems engineer and an aircraft engineer in terms of educational background:
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Aircraft Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Aerospace Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between spacecraft systems engineers' and aircraft engineers' demographics:
| Spacecraft Systems Engineer | Aircraft Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| 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, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 10.8% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |