Aerospace engineer
Aerospace engineers design, build and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, drones, and their engines and systems.
What can you do with an aerospace engineering degree?
Also called: Aeronautical engineering · Aeronautics and astronautics · Astronautical engineering · Space engineering
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
An aerospace engineering degree teaches how to design, build and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and their systems, using mathematics, physics and computer modelling. Most graduates become aerospace or mechanical engineers in aviation, defence and space organisations, while others use the same skills in cars, energy, medical devices or software.
Careers with an aerospace engineering degree
Many graduates become aerospace engineers working on aircraft, engines, satellites or drones for manufacturers, airlines, defence organisations and space agencies. Because the degree covers the same core as mechanical engineering, graduates are also hired as mechanical engineers in cars, energy and manufacturing, and some move into biomedical engineering to design medical devices. Some become airline pilots, although this needs separate flight training and a licence. Others use their modelling skills in software, data analysis or finance.
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Mechanical engineer
Mechanical engineers design, test and improve machines and systems that involve movement, force, heat or energy, from car engines and wind turbines to medical devices and air conditioning.
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Airline pilot
Airline pilots fly passenger and cargo aircraft as part of a two-pilot crew and are responsible for the safety of each flight.
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Biomedical engineer
Biomedical engineers use engineering to improve healthcare.
Other roles graduates go into: Systems engineer · Flight test engineer · Stress engineer · Propulsion engineer · Avionics engineer
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
- Flight mechanics, stability and control
- Aircraft and spacecraft structures
- Propulsion systems, from jet engines to rockets
- Materials and manufacturing
- Orbital mechanics and space systems
- Avionics and systems engineering
- Engineering mathematics and computer modelling
Skills you gain
- Applying mathematics and physics to real designs
- Modelling and simulating systems with specialist software
- Testing designs and analysing experimental data
- Working to strict safety and quality standards
- Working in large teams with engineers from other fields
- Writing clear technical reports
How the degree differs around the world
In the UK, an engineering bachelor's usually takes three or four years, and an integrated master's takes one year longer, which is a common path towards chartered engineer status. In much of Europe, students take a three-year bachelor's and then a two-year master's, and many employers expect the master's. In the United States, Canada and much of Asia it is typically a four-year programme. In some countries aerospace is mainly a master's specialisation after a first degree in mechanical engineering. Entry needs strong mathematics and physics, and accreditation by a national engineering body helps with professional registration later.
How do aerospace engineering graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Engineering, manufacturing and construction”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 122 (2023) | 87.7% (2017) | 84.3% |
| United Kingdom | 122 (2020) | 86.8% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Germany | 120 (2020) | 90.2% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Chile | 120 (2023) | 85.0% (2022) | 85.7% |
| Norway | 119 (2023) | 91.9% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Finland | 116 (2022) | 89.7% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Sweden | 112 (2023) | 91.6% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Australia | 110 (2020) | 90.7% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Denmark | 110 (2023) | 90.0% (2021) | 87.8% |
| South Korea | 110 (2023) | — | — |
| Canada | 109 (2020) | 82.6% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Portugal | 108 (2020) | 92.1% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Romania | 106 (2023) | 90.4% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Mexico | 106 (2023) | 84.6% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Latvia | 105 (2023) | 89.3% (2024) | 87.7% |
| Slovenia | 104 (2020) | 93.6% (2024) | 90.8% |
| Austria | 100 (2023) | 87.7% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Costa Rica | 100 (2023) | 83.2% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Switzerland | 98 (2023) | 92.7% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Luxembourg | 97 (2023) | 80.1% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Estonia | 95 (2023) | 89.6% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Ireland | — | 94.7% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Poland | — | 94.0% (2024) | 91.6% |
| Czechia | — | 93.3% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Belgium | — | 92.9% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Iceland | — | 92.9% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Croatia | — | 92.0% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Netherlands | — | 91.5% (2024) | 90.6% |
| France | — | 91.4% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Slovakia | — | 91.4% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Italy | — | 88.5% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Lithuania | — | 88.2% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Peru | — | 87.9% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Greece | — | 87.8% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Spain | — | 86.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Türkiye | — | 78.4% (2016) | 72.9% |
| Hungary | — | 73.7% (2024) | 76.2% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Aeronautical and aerospace engineering” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £31,500 | £26,000 | £36,600 | 89.0% |
| After 3 years | £35,900 | £29,600 | £43,200 | 89.8% |
| After 5 years | £43,200 | £34,400 | £52,700 | 89.6% |
| After 10 years | £56,000 | £42,100 | £72,800 | 86.2% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment.
Is an aerospace engineering degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You are fascinated by aircraft, rockets or space and want to know how they work.
- You are strong at mathematics and physics and enjoy applying them.
- You are happy to work on long, complex projects where safety comes first.
Think twice if
- You find advanced mathematics and physics a struggle.
- You mainly want to fly, as becoming a pilot needs separate training and a licence.
- You would prefer not to work in defence, which is a major employer in this industry in many countries.
Further study
A master's degree is common and is often expected in Europe and for specialist roles in propulsion, space systems or aerodynamics. In the UK, an integrated master's can count towards chartered engineer status. A PhD leads to research posts in universities, space agencies and industry. Once working, many engineers seek professional registration or licensing, which usually requires an accredited degree and several years of supervised experience.
Questions about studying aerospace engineering
What jobs can you get with an aerospace engineering degree?
Most graduates become aerospace engineers or mechanical engineers, designing, testing or maintaining aircraft, engines, satellites and drones. Others work as systems, flight test or avionics engineers, or take their skills into cars, energy, medical devices, software and consulting. Some train as airline pilots, which requires separate flight training and a licence.
What is the difference between aerospace and aeronautical engineering?
Aeronautical engineering deals with aircraft that fly within the Earth's atmosphere. Aerospace engineering is broader and also includes spacecraft, satellites and rockets, which is sometimes called astronautical engineering. Many degrees cover both, and the core subjects, such as aerodynamics, structures and propulsion, are very similar, so employers often treat the two degrees as equivalent.
Is aerospace engineering a hard degree?
Yes, it is one of the more demanding engineering degrees. It uses advanced mathematics and physics throughout, and you spend many hours on problem sheets, laboratory work, computer modelling and design projects. Students who are strong in mathematics and keep up with the weekly work usually cope well, and many find the practical projects very motivating.
Can you become a pilot with an aerospace engineering degree?
The degree helps you understand flight, but it does not qualify you to fly. To become an airline pilot you need separate flight training, a commercial pilot licence from your national aviation authority and a medical certificate. Some airlines and air forces value an engineering degree, but it is not usually required.
Related subjects
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Mechanical engineering
A mechanical engineering degree teaches how to design, analyse and make machines and systems that move or use energy, from engines and robots to medical devices and power plants.
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Physics
A physics degree explores the laws that govern the universe, from particles and atoms to materials, energy and stars, using mathematics, experiments and computer models.
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Electrical engineering
An electrical engineering degree teaches how to design and build systems that generate, control and use electricity, from power grids and motors to circuits, chips and communication networks.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH10-01-04 — Aeronautical and aerospace engineering
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0716
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with an aerospace engineering degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/aerospace-engineering/ (accessed September 26, 2026)