How to Start a Career in the Aerospace Industry

The aerospace industry is in a very interesting place right now. The commercial space race has led to aggressive hiring, defence budgets are funding major modernization programs, and the serious need for more fuel-efficient aircraft is driving major growth in aerospace R&D.

But for all the hype, is aerospace a good career to get into? What jobs are there in the industry? And how can you break in?

Is Aerospace Engineering a Growing Field?

Absolutely. In fact, for an industry that’s been around as long as aerospace, the growth in recent years, as well as the predicted growth in years to come, is startling. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, aerospace is predicted to grow by 8% by 2035, with thousands of new jobs being created. 

And why the sudden boom?

The short answer is that a combination of new technologies has opened many doors for both commercial and defence spending. Projects that might have seemed like science fiction just ten years ago are now being achieved, leading to serious opportunities and investor excitement.

And industry pay very much reflects the sheer scale of current demand. In 2025, the median pay for an aerospace engineer was $134,950, making it one of the highest-paying engineering disciplines. Even entry-level salaries fall between $70K and $90K, making it a very appealing option for young job seekers with the right skill set.

Career Options in Aerospace

It’s worth noting that engineering is only one of many aerospace careers. Careers in aerospace technology also include roles like quality assurance and manufacturing technicians who ensure that components meet exacting standards before being cleared. You also have systems technicians who assemble, test, and maintain the hardware.

And that’s not even getting into the need for administrative teams. Project and program managers keep enormously complex builds on schedule and on budget, a role that becomes increasingly valuable as programs scale. Supply chain specialists manage the logistical side of things, keeping track of the thousands of components needed to go into a single aircraft.

Of course, if you do go down an engineering path, then there are still countless subdisciplines to choose from. You’ll find aerospace engineers working across structures, propulsion, systems integration, guidance, navigation, and even software.

All told, any aerospace project is an enormous undertaking, which is another reason for the large growth. With an industry like aerospace, any growth looks enormous simply because of the sheer scale of resources required. Keep in mind that it’s not just the big players like SpaceX and Blue Origin that make up the industry. For each major household name, there are countless smaller companies as well as a whole ecosystem of suppliers, maintenance companies, and research organisations.

How to Actually Start a Career in Aerospace

The standard path into aerospace engineering is a bachelor’s degree in one of several specialisations. Most common are aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

Direct experience goes a very long way in aerospace, so you’ll want to be keeping a serious lookout for internship opportunities. Having relevant experience with a defence contractor, airline, or space company can make or break a career.

For roles outside of core engineering, you’ll still want to do a two-year degree in a relevant technical subject. That said, it’s not uncommon for people to build their way toward engineering or management roles over time through a mix of experience and further study.

Another significant choice you’ll want to make early on – independently of your exact specialisation – is whether you want to go into defence or commercial aerospace. The two differ significantly in terms of culture, pace, and security clearance.

For some, there may not actually be a choice here. Defence positions almost exclusively require U.S. citizenship, so if you’re not a U.S. citizen, the commercial industry will be your only option.

At the end of the day, aerospace is one of the most exciting industries to get into in 2026. If you’re looking for good pay and long-term career stability, then just about any aerospace career path represents an excellent long-term choice.