Aerospace Engineers

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for aerospace engineers will increase by about 6 percent through 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. New technologies and designs for commercial and military aircraft and spacecraft will sustain demand for research and development. Some new jobs will be needed to work on emerging technologies, including small satellites (CubeSats) and unmanned aerial systems.

The aerospace industry remains important to the health of the national economy. Increasing airline traffic and the need to replace aging airplanes with quieter and more fuel-efficient aircraft will create demand for aerospace engineers. More aerospace engineers will be needed to repair and add to the current air fleet and improve defense technology. Engineers are also needed to help make commercial aircraft safer, designing and installing reinforced cockpit doors and onboard security screening equipment to protect pilots, crew, and commercial passengers.

The DOL reports that "continued interest in drones for certain uses, such as forest fire detection, may help to drive employment growth."