Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Avionics Technicians
Also called: Aircraft Electrical Systems Specialist, Aircraft Technician (Aircraft Tech), Aviation Electrical Technician (Aviation Electrical Tech), Aviation Electronics Technician (Aviation Electronics Tech)
US median pay
$82,280
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+9.4%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
1,700
19,800 employed
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.
- Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Troubleshooting3.9/5
- Repairing3.9/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.9/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.8/5
- Operations Monitoring3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.5/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics4.4/5
- Mechanical4.2/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Engineering and Technology3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Telecommunications3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Post-secondary certificate50%
- High school diploma18%
- Associate's degree16%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.