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Structural test engineer vs aircraft engineer

The differences between structural test 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 structural test engineer and an aircraft engineer. Additionally, a structural test engineer has an average salary of $86,757, which is higher than the $72,867 average annual salary of an aircraft engineer.

The top three skills for a structural test engineer include CAD, aerospace and test data. The most important skills for an aircraft engineer are DOD, aircraft systems, and CAD.

Structural test engineer vs aircraft engineer overview

Structural Test EngineerAircraft Engineer
Yearly salary$86,757$72,867
Hourly rate$41.71$35.03
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs29,6625,718
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Structural test engineer vs aircraft engineer salary

Structural test engineers and aircraft engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Structural Test EngineerAircraft Engineer
Average salary$86,757$72,867
Salary rangeBetween $58,000 And $129,000Between $53,000 And $99,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Joby Aviation
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between structural test engineer and aircraft engineer education

There are a few differences between a structural test engineer and an aircraft engineer in terms of educational background:

Structural Test EngineerAircraft Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringAerospace Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyStanford University

Structural test engineer vs aircraft engineer demographics

Here are the differences between structural test engineers' and aircraft engineers' demographics:

Structural Test EngineerAircraft Engineer
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 91.5% Female, 8.5%Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between structural test engineer and aircraft engineer duties and responsibilities

Structural test engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Collaborate with frequency managers, FCC, FAA, and local spectrum authorities to plan frequency assignments.
  • Import the model to perform simulation in ANSYS to procure the optimum design of a typical high mach air-frame structure.
  • Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical, aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements and communicate feed back to design engineers.
  • Utilize rapid prototyping as proof of concepts for multiple new designs.
  • Create PERL scripts to generate flying probe test programs from FabMaster outputs, saving licensing fees for commercial test development products.
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Aircraft engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the software development for multiple successful NASA and DOD small business innovative research (SBIR) grants.
  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Design the galleys of private jets using AutoCAD.
  • Develop flight data extraction and visualization software suite in MATLAB.
  • Verify compliance with FARs, aircraft specifications, and customer requests.
  • Complete equipment installations, wiring diagrams, and test fixtures using CATIA V4, V5 and CADEX applications.
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Structural test engineer vs aircraft engineer skills

Common structural test engineer skills
  • CAD, 14%
  • Aerospace, 13%
  • Test Data, 9%
  • CATIA, 8%
  • Data Acquisition Systems, 7%
  • Test Procedures, 6%
Common aircraft engineer skills
  • DOD, 21%
  • Aircraft Systems, 13%
  • CAD, 11%
  • Airframe, 10%
  • Aircraft Maintenance, 8%
  • Landing Gear, 6%

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