Avionics technicians salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,410 | $23.75 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $82,280 | $39.56 |
| Mean (average) | $83,380 | $40.09 |
| 90th percentile | $113,680 | $54.65 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Avionics technicians pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 43 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $95,920 | $62,330 | $100,220 | 910 | 3.54 |
| Alaska | $94,810 | $60,130 | $112,000 | 50 | 1.18 |
| Arizona | $79,770 | $57,330 | $100,210 | 600 | 1.53 |
| Arkansas | $54,160 | $36,660 | $103,490 | 100 | 0.61 |
| California | $92,480 | $58,670 | $126,600 | 1,220 | 0.55 |
| Colorado | $79,000 | $59,460 | $126,990 | 220 | 0.63 |
| Florida | $83,800 | $53,180 | $134,060 | 2,400 | 2 |
| Georgia | $79,060 | $60,240 | $100,650 | 1,820 | 3.07 |
| Hawaii | $86,260 | $54,210 | $114,700 | 90 | 1.19 |
| Idaho | $80,620 | $58,210 | $96,500 | 80 | 0.78 |
| Illinois | $81,170 | $38,640 | $130,700 | 300 | 0.41 |
| Indiana | $76,770 | $51,970 | $81,030 | 60 | 0.14 |
| Kansas | $59,810 | $46,870 | $79,410 | 170 | 1 |
| Kentucky | $42,440 | $39,870 | $47,640 | ||
| Louisiana | $80,250 | $53,690 | $106,530 | 200 | 0.85 |
| Maryland | $97,490 | $75,040 | $103,960 | 160 | 0.49 |
| Massachusetts | $89,340 | $79,040 | $89,680 | 40 | 0.09 |
| Michigan | $58,280 | $46,180 | $86,860 | 300 | 0.56 |
| Minnesota | $55,660 | $32,680 | $72,420 | ||
| Mississippi | $65,830 | $48,280 | $88,440 | 160 | 1.11 |
| Missouri | $71,520 | $50,190 | $100,660 | 90 | 0.25 |
| Montana | $57,420 | $39,550 | $72,850 | ||
| Nevada | $80,040 | $52,000 | $96,370 | 50 | 0.27 |
| New Hampshire | $86,830 | $65,910 | $107,450 | 30 | 0.42 |
| New Jersey | $100,250 | $43,940 | $130,680 | 260 | 0.5 |
| New Mexico | $94,020 | $75,980 | $95,370 | ||
| New York | $83,150 | $70,980 | $104,890 | 130 | 0.11 |
| North Carolina | $78,710 | $52,730 | $107,900 | 520 | 0.87 |
| North Dakota | $59,900 | $43,310 | $91,570 | 80 | 1.57 |
| Ohio | $60,080 | $47,310 | $88,900 | 160 | 0.24 |
| Oklahoma | $70,640 | $48,300 | $108,840 | 530 | 2.56 |
| Oregon | $83,830 | $55,040 | $107,370 | 140 | 0.6 |
| Pennsylvania | $117,470 | $76,420 | $123,770 | 70 | 0.1 |
| Puerto Rico | $37,660 | $24,110 | $53,660 | ||
| South Carolina | $81,720 | $45,270 | $91,520 | 270 | 0.95 |
| South Dakota | $83,220 | $61,510 | $90,810 | 40 | 0.73 |
| Tennessee | $60,820 | $45,380 | $82,230 | 480 | 1.21 |
| Texas | $81,950 | $47,880 | $106,820 | 1,710 | 1 |
| Utah | $65,270 | $55,690 | $85,650 | 180 | 0.86 |
| Virginia | $85,660 | $62,090 | $100,870 | 250 | 0.51 |
| Washington | $91,380 | $67,540 | $116,920 | 3,400 | 7.91 |
| Wisconsin | $65,230 | $51,530 | $101,920 | 130 | 0.37 |
| Wyoming | $84,360 | $77,060 | $97,810 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for avionics technicians
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,700. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 4.2%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for avionics technicians
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, Other CIP 14.0299
- Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician CIP 47.0609
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.
- Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams.
- Keep records of maintenance and repair work.
- Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
- 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.
- Coordinate work with that of engineers, technicians, and other aircraft maintenance personnel.
- Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- C++ (hot technology)
- Linux (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Oracle Java (hot technology)
- SAP software (hot technology)
- UNIX (hot technology)
- Workday software (hot technology)
- Apache HTTP Server
- Avionics system testing software
- Computer diagnostic software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
Transferable skills for career changers: Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving.
Common job titles: 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), Avionics Electronics Technician (Avionics Electronics Tech), Avionics Installer, Avionics Line Technician (Avionics Line Tech), Avionics Repair Technician (Avionics Repair Tech).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do avionics technicians make?
The national median annual wage for avionics technicians was $82,280 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $49,410 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $113,680. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do avionics technicians need?
BLS lists postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is avionics technicians a growing career?
BLS projects employment of avionics technicians to change +9.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,700 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay avionics technicians the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Pennsylvania ($117,470), New Jersey ($100,250), Maryland ($97,490). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.