Are you considering a career in aerospace engineering? Are you interested in learning more about the job’s responsibilities, pay, and benefits? Are you interested in learning how long it takes to become one and what schooling is required? Does that beg the question: is Aerospace engineering hard?
Then this article is for you!
In this post, we’ll take a look at everything about being an aerospace engineer including what an aerospace engineer does, how long it takes to become one, What the average salary of an aerospace engineer is, and many more questions related to this exciting field.
We hope that by the end of reading this article, your curiosity will be satisfied and we can help point out some ways where you can get started learning more about aerospace engineering today.
Table of Contents
What is Aerospace Engineering?
Aerospace engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the development of aircraft and spacecraft.
Aerospace engineers are responsible for the design and construction of all types of aircraft, from small single-engine planes to large airliners. They also work on the design of space vehicles such as satellites or probes, as well as research projects such as lunar rovers.
Job Outlook in the US
The aerospace engineering field is expected to grow by 6 percent (as fast as average) over the next decade, which is a good sign. The job outlook for aerospace engineers is very good, and it’s a great career choice if you’re looking for opportunities in an industry that’s growing rapidly.
To explain further, there is an estimated number of 58,800 Aerospace Engineering jobs in the United States; it is expected to grow by 3,700 in 2031.
Salary: Aerospace Engineers make $122,270 per year. That’s about $58.78 per hour, which is a highly comfortable earning position.
Job Description: What Do Aerospace Engineers Do?
Aerospace engineers design, develop and test aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and related components. They also research aerodynamics, propulsion, and systems to use in those vehicles.
They may work on the design of commercial aircraft or space shuttles, or they might be involved in developing military weapons systems such as satellites that detect incoming missiles.
They also specialize in one of three main areas: flight dynamics; structures; vehicle performance. Overall, aerospace engineers are important contributors to the engineering profession.
How to Become an Aerospace Engineer
To become an aerospace engineer, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree in the field. To get into these programs, students generally take classes like calculus and physics.
Aerospace Engineering is a highly technical field that offers you good compensation, opportunities to grow in your career, as well as job satisfaction.
If you are looking to become an aerospace engineer, here is an outlined five steps on how to become an Aerospace Engineer:
- Take math and science subjects in high school.
- Apply to aerospace engineering schools. Earn a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering.
Aerospace Engineering courses typically take four years to complete. You can apply to ABET-accredited schools; keep reading to learn about these schools.
- Choose a minor that you want to practice in; a few examples are numerical methods, system design, fluid dynamics, and control systems.
- Apply to internships and cooperative programs.
- Earn a graduate degree (optional).
- Apply to entry-level jobs.
- Work in related jobs.
- Join professional organizations and earn your state license.
Best Aerospace Engineering Schools in the World
The most elitist aerospace engineering schools are typically the dream of every student who want to become an aerospace engineer. These schools offer a wide range of aerospace engineering programs and courses for students who want to pursue careers in this area.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Cambridge is widely considered the best school to study Aerospace Engineering. Aside from MIT, there are many other schools you can choose from – like Stanford, Harvard, etc. These schools are all accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, an organization that “provides assurance that a school meets the quality standards for which that program prepares graduates.”
The top 10 schools for aerospace engineering include:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (Course 16)
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Course 16-ENG)
- Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics (graduate program)
- Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Science (graduate program)
Stanford University (USA)
Programs
- Bachelor in Aerospace and Aeronautics Engineering (Minor and Honors)
- Master of Science in Aerospace and Aeronautics Engineering (graduate program)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Aerospace and Aeronautics Engineering (graduate program)
University of Cambridge (UK)
Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Aerothermal Engineering
Harvard University
Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- Ph.D. program
Studying mechanical engineering also guarantees another pathway to becoming an aerospace engineer. After you complete your undergraduate mechanical engineering degree, you can opt-in to study a specialization course in aerospace engineering afterward.
Delft University of Technology (Netherlands)
Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
- Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
The University of California, Berkeley (USA)
Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
- Minor in Aerospace Engineering for non-mechanical engineering students
Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
Programs
- Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering
ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Process Engineering
- Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
National University of Singapore (Singapore)
Programs
- Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (with specialization in Aerospace Engineering)
Imperial College London
Programs
- Master of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering
- Advanced Aeronautical Engineering
- Advanced Computational Methods
What Skills Do You Need to Become an Aerospace Engineer?
First and foremost, you’re going to need to be really good at math. Aerospace Engineering is all about making sure that everything in your design works perfectly and so you’ll need a lot of practice working with numbers and equations.
The same goes for physics; if you want to be an aerospace engineer, you should know how things work on the ground as well as in space.
You can use physics on Earth when designing planes or rockets, but it also helps if your designs will be used in outer space or on other planets where gravity might not work exactly as it does here on Earth.
You should also learn about chemistry because this is another important part of designing an aircraft or spacecraft. In order for something like a car or plane engine to run properly, all its parts need fuel—and fuel comes from chemicals.
Computer programming is another skill that will help make sure any new technology works before it’s released into production lines around the world.
To recap, you need to be skilled beyond average in the following areas in order to become competent as an Aerospace Engineer:
- Some seriously good math skill
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skill
- Critical thinking skill
- Business skill
- Writing skills (to explain designs and processes)
How Long Does It Take to Become an Aerospace Engineer?
Four to five years.
In the United States, aerospace engineering schools take 4 years, while in some other countries, this takes up to five years. Albeit, if you plan to study an advanced aerospace engineering program (like a master’s), this will take significantly longer.
To become an aerospace engineer, you need at least a bachelor’s degree and sometimes a master’s degree or Ph.D. A Ph.D. can take two years or more and requires extensive coursework as well as independent research projects completed under close supervision by advisors.
What Educational Requirements are Required to Study Aerospace Engineering?
The educational requirements to study aerospace engineering are fairly extensive. In order to begin an undergraduate degree in the subject, you must first complete a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering.
After completing your first degree, you can now apply to any aerospace engineering school of your choice. But this is just one way to go about it.
Most schools have an aerospace engineering program that lets you apply directly from high school. These schools will require you to have a math or science-related background when applying.
Also, you will need a minimum GPA of 3.5 and above to be able to compete with top students equally vying for admission at the schools you are applying to.
Salary and Benefits of Becoming an Aerospace Engineer
So, what are the benefits of becoming an aerospace engineer? First, you’ll have a great salary. The average annual salary for an aerospace engineer is $122,720 per year. That’s nearly twice as much as the U.S. national average.
You can also look forward to free healthcare and retirement benefits when you work for most companies.
However, there’s more: if you want to increase your salary by taking on more responsibilities or specializing in a certain area of aerospace engineering, that’s possible too.
The Verdict: Is Aerospace Engineering Hard?
So, is aerospace engineering hard? Well, that depends on what you think the word “hard” means. If you’re talking about something that requires long hours of sleep deprivation and a lot of caffeine then yes, it can be. It can also be rewarding if you love math and science, but yet, it might not be right for everyone.
Here’s the bottom line: if you love everything about aircraft and space technology and you aspire to design aircraft for NASA and other top organizations, then this career path may just be for you.
However, if you are only thinking about the money you will make as an aerospace engineer (this is your motivation), and you have no passion for aircraft design whatsoever, then we advise that you look for something else.
Aerospace Engineering, like Medicine, is an extremely difficult course. It takes years of hard work, consistency, research, and academic excellence to build a successful career in it.
It would be a total waste if you have no passion for this and are just doing it for the money; because years down the line, you might get frustrated.
The good news, however, is if you’re interested in becoming an aeronautical engineer, there are plenty of opportunities out there now more than ever before; thanks largely due to advances made within technology fields.
Final Thought
The field of aerospace engineering is one that requires a lot of hard work and perseverance, but it can also be very rewarding. The options for aerospace engineers are endless, so there’s no reason to not pursue your passion if this is what you choose.
There are many different types of aerospace engineers and each one has its own specialties. Some types of aeronautical engineers might work on designing aircraft while others focus more on designing parts like propellers or wings. Whatever you choose to do as an aeronautical engineer, we wish you the best in your future endeavors.
FAQs and Answers
What kind of jobs do aerospace engineers get?
According to Indeed’s data, people with Aerospace Engineering degrees typically work in the following roles: College Professors, Drafters, Aerospace Technicians, Data Analysts, Aircraft Mechanics, Inspection Managers, Technical Sales Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Aerospace Engineers, and as Data Engineers
Is it difficult to become an aerospace engineer?
Not difficult in the sense that no one can do it. But aerospace engineering is an extremely demanding professional career that requires your hard work, dedication, and grit.
What are the prerequisites for studying aerospace engineering?
You must have completed high school before you can apply to any aerospace engineering school. You will also need background knowledge in the following: Math Science - Chemistry and Physics, with a little bit of biology knowledge (may not be necessary) Minimum GPA of 3.5
Does a degree in aerospace engineering take a lot of time to complete?
It takes 4 to 5 years to become an aerospace engineer. If you would like to complete a master’s or doctoral program afterward, this can easily take an additional three years.
Recommended Reads
- Hardest Engineering Courses in the World
- Top 20 Highest-Paid Engineering Jobs
- Top 20 Highest-paid Engineering Jobs
- Top 30 Short Degrees That Pay Well
- How to Become an Astronaut.
Wrapping It Up
So, is aerospace engineering hard? Not really, at least that’s not how you define “hard.” Let’s just say aerospace engineering will require a lot from you if you must build a successful professional career in it. Aerospace engineers work in one of the most exciting fields there is, and they’re paid well for their efforts. But becoming an aerospace engineer will require a lot of time and effort on your part because it requires years of schooling before you can even begin applying for jobs in this field.
We hope this article has guided your curiosity. Leave a comment below if there are questions you still want answers to.