Career comparison
Aerospace Engineer vs. Engineering Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Engineering managers earn more at the median ($171,270 vs. $134,960), while aerospace engineers usually get to work faster (4-year engineering degree of training). Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. Engineering managers lead teams of engineers who design products, systems and structures.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Aerospace Engineer | Engineering Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $134,960 ($64.89/hr) | $171,270 ($82.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $86,700 – $205,890 | $120,810 – $262,760 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +8.3% (much faster than average) | +5.5% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 3,800 | 14,900 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4-year engineering degree | 5+ years of engineering experience |
| Key credential | PE license | PE license |
| Work setting | Aerospace engineers work in offices, labs, test sites and factories.. | Engineering managers work in offices, labs and plants.. |
What each job does
Aerospace Engineer
- Design aircraft and spacecraft
- Run simulations
- Analyze stresses
- Test prototypes
- Work with manufacturing
Engineering Manager
- Lead engineering teams
- Set project goals
- Manage budgets
- Review designs
- Hire and coach engineers
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, problem-solving, in-demand, and teamwork. Both are part of the science, engineering & lab field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose aerospace engineer if…
- I love planes and rockets
- I like physics and math
- I like testing
Choose engineering manager if…
- I’m an engineer who likes leading
- I like strategy
- I can coach people
Still torn? Take the Aerospace Engineer fit quiz and the Engineering Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, aerospace engineer or engineering manager?
Engineering Managers earn more at the median: $171,270 versus $134,960 for aerospace engineers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Aerospace Engineers typically train faster (4-year engineering degree) than engineering managers (5+ years of engineering experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects aerospace engineers to grow +8.3% from 2025–35, compared with +5.5% for engineering managers.