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How much do aerospace engineers make when they first start?
I'm in 8th grade and preparing for my future for when I get into college, my dream job is to be an Aerospace Engineer because I love science.
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7 answers
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Joseph’s Answer
Salary ranges quoted online for a career can be quite misleading. They often only quote the ranges for later on in a career; the figures are often median pay for experienced engineers, even if the site calls it "starting salary" or "entry level", it's often not. The actual starting salary for the average fresh graduate joining an entry-level position with no experience is generally much less.
It is a competitive world though; and for the top graduates, it can be quite lucrative; if you're coming out of a top university with top grades, you're likely to be welcomed by a lot of employers, and they'll often pay that bit extra to have the top talent working for them rather than a competitor. Those are very competitive roles, though, and I think there's a bit of a drop in salaries offered for more average employers to more average graduates.
I'm not sure how well my information will convert, as it's based on conversations I've had with graduate engineers in the UK, possibly a few years ago - so it probably doesn't accurately to the current US market - I think US salaries tend to be higher than UK salaries to compensate for differences in how things like tax and healthcare are accounted for. However, just based on a bit of currency conversion and accounting for inflation, I'd have estimated a more typical graduate aerospace engineer could be as low as the $34k-47k ballpark. Once you gain some experience, you can expect salaries more like the ranges you hear about online.
Of course the best way to check is to go through the sort of job listings you'll be applying to and check - a search with keywords like "graduate aerospace engineering jobs" is a good place to start - although a lot of places don't list salary or hide behind "competitive salary", so it might take a bit of searching to find some figures to work with.
It is a competitive world though; and for the top graduates, it can be quite lucrative; if you're coming out of a top university with top grades, you're likely to be welcomed by a lot of employers, and they'll often pay that bit extra to have the top talent working for them rather than a competitor. Those are very competitive roles, though, and I think there's a bit of a drop in salaries offered for more average employers to more average graduates.
I'm not sure how well my information will convert, as it's based on conversations I've had with graduate engineers in the UK, possibly a few years ago - so it probably doesn't accurately to the current US market - I think US salaries tend to be higher than UK salaries to compensate for differences in how things like tax and healthcare are accounted for. However, just based on a bit of currency conversion and accounting for inflation, I'd have estimated a more typical graduate aerospace engineer could be as low as the $34k-47k ballpark. Once you gain some experience, you can expect salaries more like the ranges you hear about online.
Of course the best way to check is to go through the sort of job listings you'll be applying to and check - a search with keywords like "graduate aerospace engineering jobs" is a good place to start - although a lot of places don't list salary or hide behind "competitive salary", so it might take a bit of searching to find some figures to work with.
Updated
Ervin’s Answer
1. Google Salaries for Aerospace Engineers on the internet .
2. Google Salaries for Aerospace Engineers on the internet in your region or the region you would like to live
2. Google Salaries for Aerospace Engineers on the internet in your region or the region you would like to live
Updated
Todd’s Answer
Hi there. My degree is Aerospace Engineering from Arizona State University. I, like you, was very interested in science and aircraft and thus chose that degree as a path to understanding aircraft design, spacecraft design, etc. In terms of salary, starting from college has changed from when I started, but it is possible to start in the $80k+ range as you can specialize rather early in your career in this field. The good part about this field is that it is heavily oriented in pure engineering concepts like mechanical, fluids, design, problem solving, etc. You can take this degree and move into a lot of other fields relatively easily which will then open new opportunities and greater salary compensation. Good luck as you continue your education. Having an idea of what you want to do at your age is a great start. :)
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Mark’s Answer
Typically engineering is considered a well paying occupation. There are sites like https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm and many job postings are now required by law to show salary ranges so I would suggest searching sites like linkedin.com and indeed.com for entry level aerospace engineering positions to see what the pay range is. The bigger thing to consider when selecting a profession is whether you think you will enjoy the work. Engineers usually enjoy solving problems, and learning about how things work. If you enjoy solving puzzles and excel at math then I would encourage you to pursue a career in engineering!
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Hey Hayden,
Great question. I'm not familiar with that career path myself but from some research online, it seems like the starting salary can range from $89,500 and $111,400! It seems to pay quite well for a starting salary. Obviously there can be some differences based on employers though.
Here's a link I used to find some information on this: https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/aerospace-engineer-experienced-salary
Good luck and keep following your passions
Great question. I'm not familiar with that career path myself but from some research online, it seems like the starting salary can range from $89,500 and $111,400! It seems to pay quite well for a starting salary. Obviously there can be some differences based on employers though.
Here's a link I used to find some information on this: https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/aerospace-engineer-experienced-salary
Good luck and keep following your passions
Updated
Ervin’s Answer
1. Google Salaries for Aerospace Engineers on the internet .
2. Google Salaries for Aerospace Engineers on the internet in your region or the region you would like to live
3. Ask around and find someone who works in the field and talk to them about salaries.
2. Google Salaries for Aerospace Engineers on the internet in your region or the region you would like to live
3. Ask around and find someone who works in the field and talk to them about salaries.
James Constantine Frangos
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Hayden!
You're curious about the starting salary for aerospace engineers, right? That's a great question! It's essential to know the financial outlook of your dream job, especially in a competitive field like aerospace engineering. Here's a simplified breakdown of what you might earn as a beginner in this field:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median yearly salary for aerospace engineers was $115,000 in May 2020. But remember, salaries can fluctuate based on factors like where you live, the industry you're in, and your experience level.
If you're just starting out with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, you can anticipate a salary of about $60,000 to $70,000 per year. While this is a good starting point, it might not be as high as some other engineering fields, like petroleum or software engineering.
But don't worry, as you gain experience and climb the career ladder, your salary will grow significantly. Experienced aerospace engineers can make over $160,000 per year, and if you reach a leadership role, you could earn more than $200,000 per year.
Keep in mind that salaries can change based on location. For instance, aerospace engineers in California or Texas might make more than those in other parts of the country. Also, working for big companies like Boeing or SpaceX could lead to higher salaries compared to smaller companies or government agencies.
As for job growth, the BLS predicts a 2% increase in aerospace engineering jobs from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all jobs. But don't let that discourage you. The field remains competitive, and there's always a need for skilled aerospace engineers.
In summary, while the starting salary for aerospace engineers might be lower than some other fields, there's plenty of room for growth. Plus, the field is always changing, so there will always be a need for talented professionals to push the boundaries of space exploration and innovation.
Here are the references I used:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Aerospace Engineers. Retrieved from <https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm>
2. Glassdoor. (n.d.). Aerospace Engineer Salaries. Retrieved from <https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/aerospace-engineer-salary.htm>
3. Indeed. (n.d.). Aerospace Engineer Salary. Retrieved from <https://www.indeed.com/salaries/Aerospace-Engineer-Salaries>
Best,
JAMES.
You're curious about the starting salary for aerospace engineers, right? That's a great question! It's essential to know the financial outlook of your dream job, especially in a competitive field like aerospace engineering. Here's a simplified breakdown of what you might earn as a beginner in this field:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median yearly salary for aerospace engineers was $115,000 in May 2020. But remember, salaries can fluctuate based on factors like where you live, the industry you're in, and your experience level.
If you're just starting out with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, you can anticipate a salary of about $60,000 to $70,000 per year. While this is a good starting point, it might not be as high as some other engineering fields, like petroleum or software engineering.
But don't worry, as you gain experience and climb the career ladder, your salary will grow significantly. Experienced aerospace engineers can make over $160,000 per year, and if you reach a leadership role, you could earn more than $200,000 per year.
Keep in mind that salaries can change based on location. For instance, aerospace engineers in California or Texas might make more than those in other parts of the country. Also, working for big companies like Boeing or SpaceX could lead to higher salaries compared to smaller companies or government agencies.
As for job growth, the BLS predicts a 2% increase in aerospace engineering jobs from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all jobs. But don't let that discourage you. The field remains competitive, and there's always a need for skilled aerospace engineers.
In summary, while the starting salary for aerospace engineers might be lower than some other fields, there's plenty of room for growth. Plus, the field is always changing, so there will always be a need for talented professionals to push the boundaries of space exploration and innovation.
Here are the references I used:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Aerospace Engineers. Retrieved from <https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm>
2. Glassdoor. (n.d.). Aerospace Engineer Salaries. Retrieved from <https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/aerospace-engineer-salary.htm>
3. Indeed. (n.d.). Aerospace Engineer Salary. Retrieved from <https://www.indeed.com/salaries/Aerospace-Engineer-Salaries>
Best,
JAMES.