About Aerospace

Americans take justifiable pride in being the first and best in aerospace — first on the moon and to the outer reaches of the solar system, and foremost in maintaining military superiority to ensure the benefits of freedom and security worldwide.

Our leadership in the development and application of technologies to advance progress in national defense, civil aviation and space exploration  — all of which are vital to the strength of our economy and our way of life — is a hard won accomplishment, one not surrendered easily.

Take a look at the statistics below to get a snapshot of the contributions of aerospace to the economy:

  • Aerospace Sales

    Aerospace industry sales reached a record $215 billion in 2010, an increase over the previous year.

  • Economics

    Conservatively, U.S. aerospace sales alone account for three to five percent of our country’s gross domestic product, and every aerospace dollar yields an additional $1.50 to $3 in further economic activity.

  • Employment

    The aerospace and defense industry employs 800,000 workers across the nation, supporting more than two million middle-class jobs with more than 30,000 suppliers from all 50 states.

    On its own, the aerospace industry employed 644,200 workers in 2009. The decline in aerospace employment from a weak economy has not been nearly as severe as in other manufacturing industries. Annual aerospace employment fell by 2.4 percent from 2008, while overall manufacturing employment dropped by 11.4 percent.

  • Salary

    Production workers average $34.11 an hour, an increase from last year, and entry-level engineers average more than $50,000 a year.

  • Foreign Trade

    The aerospace industry’s export strength underpins our economy. With exports of $77.5 billion in 2010, the industry’s positive trade balance of $51.2 billion is the largest trade surplus of any manufacturing industry. Imports last year were $26.4 billion.

  • Shipments, orders, backlog

    The industry has a solid backlog of work to keep it busy while the economy recovers and new orders are booked. The backlog in 2010 was a robust $426.8 billion.

  • For more information go to: www.aia-aerospace.org/economics/