The median pay for Avionics Technicians is $82,280 a year ($39.56/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 9.4% through 2035, with about 1,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 49-2091
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Avionics Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $82,280a year, or $39.56/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $49KTop 10% $114K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +9.4%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+9.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +9.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,70019,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202519.8K
- Projected 203521.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 19.8K Projected 2035 21.6K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school18.2%
- Certificate50%
- Some college12.2%
- Associate's16.3%
- Bachelor's3.3%
Highest education held by avionics technicians Segment Value High school 18.2% Certificate 50% Some college 12.2% Associate's 16.3% Bachelor's 3.3%
Also advertised as: Aircraft Electrical Systems Specialist, Aircraft Technician (Aircraft Tech), Aviation Electrical Technician (Aviation Electrical Tech), Aviation Electronics Technician (Aviation Electronics Tech), Avionic Technician (Avionic Tech), Avionics Electrical Technician (AET).
Pay
How much do Avionics Technicians make?
Every avionics technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$82,280
Middle half earn $63,900 to $99,110
- 10th
- $49,410
- 25th
- $63,900
- 75th
- $99,110
- 90th
- $113,680
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $49,410 |
| 25th | $63,900 |
| Median | $82,280 |
| 75th | $99,110 |
| 90th | $113,680 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $82,280
- Median hourly wage
- $39.56/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $83,380
- People employed
- 18,830
Versus all US occupations
At $82,280, Avionics Technicians earn 61% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $31,300 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 35% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $113,680 or more while the bottom 10% earn $49,410, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 62% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Pennsylvania pays the most at $117,470, and still leads at $120,393 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Avionics Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Pennsylvania | $117,470 | $120,393 | 70 |
| 2New Jersey | $100,250 | $92,137 | 260 |
| 3Maryland | $97,490 | $92,884 | 160 |
| 4Alabama | $95,920 | $107,990 | 910 |
| 5Alaska | $94,810 | $92,625 | 50 |
| 6New Mexico | $94,020 | $101,961 | N/A |
| 7California | $92,480 | $83,526 | 1,220 |
| 8Washington | $91,380 | $85,391 | 3,400 |
| 9Massachusetts | $89,340 | $84,477 | 40 |
| 10New Hampshire | $86,830 | $83,358 | 30 |
Job outlook
Is Avionics Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +9.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Avionics Technicians | +9.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Avionics Technicians to change 9.4% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.7× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,900 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,700 openings are projected each year, 8.6% of the 19,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Growing demand for passenger travel and goods transportation will increase air traffic over the coming years. As the use and number of aircraft increase, and as aircraft systems become more complex, more technicians will be needed to provide maintenance and repair services. The growing space industry also may add to this need.
Getting in
How to become an Avionics Technician
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians typically need postsecondary education, such as a certificate from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved program. Some enter the occupation with an associate’s degree; others have a high school diploma and train on the job or in the military. These workers typically are certified by the FAA.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as avionics technicians.
- Post-Secondary Certificate50%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)18.2%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree16.3%
- Some College Courses12.2%
- Bachelor's Degree3.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 50% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 18.2% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 16.3% |
| Some College Courses | 12.2% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 3.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Avionics Technician do?
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians install, test, adjust, and repair equipment and systems in aircraft.
Day-to-day tasks
- Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.
- Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
- Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.
- Keep records of maintenance and repair work.
- Connect components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refueling systems, using hand tools and soldering irons.
- Install electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in aircraft, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering irons.
- Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.
- Fabricate parts and test aids as required.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians work full time. They may work 8- or 10-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where avionics technicians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Support activities for air transportation30%
- Air transportation26%
- Aerospace product and parts manufacturing18%
- Federal government9%
- Couriers and express delivery services3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Support activities for air transportation | 30% |
| Air transportation | 26% |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 18% |
| Federal government | 9% |
| Couriers and express delivery services | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Active Listening3.4
- Speaking3.4
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Writing3.3
- Monitoring3.1
- Active Learning3.0
- Science2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.4 |
| Speaking | 3.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Science | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Equipment Maintenance3.9
- Troubleshooting3.9
- Repairing3.9
- Operations Monitoring3.8
- Quality Control Analysis3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Time Management3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.9 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.9 |
| Repairing | 3.9 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.5 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Development environment software
- Document management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Avionics Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Avionics Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.4
- Investigative4.3
- Social1.4
- Artistic1.2
- Enterprising1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Avionics Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician
$82,890median a year
Most earn $59K to $125K
+11.9%Associate's - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Architecture and Engineering
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician
$73,900median a year
Most earn $48K to $110K
+2.6%Associate's - Production
Aircraft Structure, Surface, Rigging, and Systems Assembler
$65,380median a year
Most earn $47K to $108K
−5.6%High school - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
$74,090median a year
Most earn $47K to $106K
+0.3%Certificate - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Electrical and Electronics Installer and Repairer, Transportation Equipment
$84,890median a year
Most earn $51K to $117K
+5.4%Certificate
More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with avionics technicians highlighted
- Avionics Technician$82,280
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Avionics Technician | $82,280 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Avionics Technician appears on
Questions
Avionics Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Avionics Technicians make?
Avionics Technicians earn a median of $82,280 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 61% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $39.56/hr. The middle half earn between $63,900 and $99,110. The top 10% earn $113,680 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Avionics Technician?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Avionics Technicians. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 50.0% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Avionics Technician a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 9.4% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Avionics Technician do?
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians install, test, adjust, and repair equipment and systems in aircraft. A core O*NET task: adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Avionics Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Avionics Technicians are Pennsylvania ($117,470), New Jersey ($100,250), Maryland ($97,490) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Avionics Technician?
O*NET scores Avionics Technicians highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.