Since the beginning of man’s conquest of air and space, Maryland’s Aerospace industry and its employees have played an integral role in securing the United States’ dominance of the heavens. Aerospace is a vibrant and vital business within the State of Maryland, employing tens of thousands of highly-paid and highly-skilled employees. Given its contribution to the economic progression of the State, the future of the Aerospace industry and its workforce in Maryland merits special attention.

The Aerospace industry in Maryland is poised for growth, fueled by plans for Manned and Unmanned Deep Space Exploration as well as growing military and National Security needs. Proximity to Federal contact centers such as NASA, the DoD, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ensure a steady stream of future work for the State’s Aerospace employees.

A Statewide focus on space-related manufacturing, project management, and services uniquely positions Maryland to flourish in a future where Federal contracts will emphasize space exploration.  Maryland also enjoys a current competitive advantage due to its highly-educated population and broad pool of skilled Aerospace employees. The confluence of these two forces has allowed the State and its employers to have high-employment and low-vacancy rates.  Maryland’s well-educated educated and productive workforce represents a key asset for the Aerospace industry. The State’s Aerospace industry ranks 22nd in the Nation by employment, with over 40,000 jobs.