The U.S. aerospace and defense industry has fully rebounded from the pandemic, according to the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA).

Releasing its “Facts & Figures” in concert with S&P Global Market Intelligence yesterday, AIA noted workforce topped 2019 levels last year to reach 2.2 million. This is the highest since AIA has tracked the data, marking a recovery from 2020 and 2021. According to AIA, aerospace and defense jobs are in every state, representing about 1.47 percent of the nation’s total employment.

The supply chain accounts for 58 percent of employment. Commercial aerospace represents 57 percent of jobs with the remainder falling into defense and national security. Average salary comes in at $108,900, or 55 percent more than the national average.

Meanwhile, the aerospace and defense industry generated more than $952 billion in total sales last year, 6.7 percent more than in 2021. Of this, $537 billion in sales involved the end user and the remaining came from within the supply chain. Economic value is up 7 percent, representing 1.65 percent of the total nominal GDP for the U.S.

“This year’s ‘Facts and Figures’ illustrates the American aerospace and defense industry’s vital role in driving our economy and ensuring our national security and is evidence that the industry has returned to pre-pandemic levels of employment and economic contributions,” said Eric Fanning, AIA president and CEO. “As our industry continues to evolve, this data lays out challenges, opportunities, and advancements related to the aerospace and defense workforce, value, and potential.”