Aerospace Brochure
North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation, continues to innovate and propel the aerospace industry to new frontiers.
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The Future of Flight
North Carolina offers a dynamic and rapidly growing environment for the aerospace and defense industry. Companies in aviation, aerospace manufacturing, and defense technology benefit from a robust supply chain, world-class infrastructure, and the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast. With a top-tier education system producing talent in engineering, advanced materials, and avionics, North Carolina provides the skilled workforce aerospace companies need to innovate and expand.
JetZero Selects North Carolina for $4.7B Production Facility; Will Create Over 14,500 Jobs
JetZero has announced a $4.7 billion investment for a production facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) in Greensboro, North Carolina – with plans to create more than 14,500 jobs. The factory will be located on PTI property, and will house production for the company’s commercial all-wing design airplane, the Z4.
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Pratt & Whitney Will Expand Manufacturing Operations in Asheville
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, will expand its turbine airfoil manufacturing plant in Buncombe County, a significant vote of confidence in western North Carolina. The company’s expansion project will create 325 additional jobs and includes an additional investment of $285 million in Asheville.
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American Titanium Metal to Invest $895.6 Million in Fayetteville
American Titanium Metal, LLC, a U.S. titanium manufacturer, will invest $867.8 million to expand its current operations in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The project will create 304 jobs in Cumberland County and will establish an approximately 500,000-square-foot facility and campus that is purpose-built to melt, roll and finish aerospace-grade titanium.
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Duotech Services Will Invest $65M for Defense and Aviation Electronics Maintenance
Duotech Services, LLC, an engineering company specializing in the maintenance and repair of legacy defense equipment, will invest $6.5 million to expand its current operations in Franklin, North Carolina. The project will create 95 jobs in Macon County.
Learn MoreAs the birthplace of aviation, North Carolina continues to innovate and support the aerospace industry to reach new frontiers.
51K
Aerospace & Aviation Workers
#1
Largest Manufacturing Workforce in the Southeast
23%
Growth in Aerospace Industry since 2014
Nearly 200
Aerospace Manufacturing Suppliers
Plentiful & Skilled Workforce
With a labor force of 5.5 million, North Carolina is home to over 49,000 engineers (Lightcast, 2025). It also hosts the fourth largest active duty and reservist military population in the country, with 1,300 servicemembers exiting active-duty service annually with skillsets in aerospace and aviation.
An Infrastructure That Will Take You Anywhere
Our 300+ aerospace manufacturers are supported by supply chain partners with specialties in machinery, textiles, chemicals, and avionics for aircraft manufacturing (Lightcast, 2025). It’s why they purchase over 94% of aircraft parts and products within the region.
It Costs Less to Watch Your Business Soar
In North Carolina, aerospace industry wages are 12% below the national average (Lightcast, 2025), state taxes are low, electricity is inexpensive, and aviation gasoline and jet fuel are exempt from state sales tax, meaning you can go further for less.
Flying Above and Ahead
Universities like NC State are spearheading research into UAVs, while industry resources like the NC Advanced Manufacturing Alliance and NextGen Air Transportation Center are also making strides to advance the aerospace and defense sector.
Aerospace Companies in North Carolina
Aerospace By The Numbers
North Carolina's renowned educational institutions, customized training programs, and exceptional infrastructure support the growth of aerospace companies across the state.
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Aerospace Industry Specialization
North Carolina’s aerospace industry is well-diversified, with a robust network of suppliers, manufacturers, and MRO facilities.
Source: EDPNC Aerospace Database, 2024 -
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Aerospace Manufacturing Labor Availability
North Carolina’s aerospace workforce offers a variety of skilled labor, from engineers to technical tradesmen.
Source: Lightcast, 2024 -
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Aerospace Talent Pipeline
Our colleges and universities produce a strong supply of engineers and engineering technicians.
Source: UNC Public System, 2022-2023; NC Community Colleges, 2023
North Carolina’s aerospace industry is well-diversified, with a robust network of suppliers, manufacturers, and MRO facilities.
Source: EDPNC Aerospace Database, 2024
North Carolina’s aerospace workforce offers a variety of skilled labor, from engineers to technical tradesmen.
Source: Lightcast, 2024
Our colleges and universities produce a strong supply of engineers and engineering technicians.
Source: UNC Public System, 2022-2023; NC Community Colleges, 2023
North Carolina Aerospace Industry Map
North Carolina offers the ideal combination of talent, infrastructure, and forward-thinking leadership to support our mission to reshape aviation.
...Boom is confident that [North Carolina] will emerge as the world's supersonic manufacturing hub.
Blake Scholl
CEO of Boom Supersonic
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does North Carolina support aerospace workforce development?
Aerospace manufacturers and R&D firms access a robust supply of skilled production and engineering talent through North Carolina’s 58 community colleges and 52 universities. Pratt & Whitney, Marshall USA, and Spirit Aerosystems (now Airbus) have each developed custom training curriculums in partnership with local community colleges. Additionally, the state’s largest three engineering universities, North Carolina State University (NCSU), North Carolina A&T University (NC A&T), and University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) enroll approximately 5,300 students in aerospace-related engineering programs annually. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina can help facilitate custom talent acquisition strategies in partnership with local communities, workforce development organizations, and education institutions to develop fill your company’s pipeline and execute your hiring strategy.
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Which aerospace leaders have a presence in North Carolina?
North Carolina is home to many notable leaders in aerospace, including Boom Supersonic, RTX, Curtiss-Wright, Haeco, and more. Over the last decade, the state has seen a diverse range of aerospace companies announcing new facilities and expansions. Some of these announcements include:
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News
GE Aerospace to Invest $100M at North Carolina Manufacturing Sites
General Electric (GE) Aerospace, a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems...
News
Boom Supersonic Selects North Carolina for its Aircraft Superfactory
GREENSBORO, N.C. – JAN. 27, 2022 – Boom Supersonic, the company building the world’s fastest and...
News
Governor Cooper Announces Honda Aircraft Company Will Create 280 Jobs in Major Greensboro Investment
Honda Aircraft Company, maker of the renowned HondaJet light aircraft, will develop and produce a longer-range...
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