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Avionics Technicians

General Information

Description

Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

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Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Federal government54.49%
  2. Private, for profit42.28%
  3. State and local government1.94%
  4. Self-employed1.00%
  5. Private, not for profit0.27%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Job Outlook

Overall employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 13,100 openings for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. 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.

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Job Outlook

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Overall employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 13,100 openings for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. 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.

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    • Avionics Technicians
      • Avionics technicians inspect, service, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair avionics systems that perform communications, navigation, collision avoidance, target acquisition, and automatic flight-control functions. They perform operational tests on aircraft components to determine condition, analyze performance, and isolate malfunctions in the radar, sensors, weapons control, electronic warfare (EW), flight control, and engine control systems. They repair and replace systems and equipment when deficiencies are identified. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Aerospace Engineers
      • Aerospace engineers direct research programs and design military aircraft and aerospace equipment. They serve as aviation technical specialists in air warfare research projects and supervise aircraft design projects from development to evaluation of experimental equipment. They formulate policies and coordinate procurement programs for aircraft and aircraft subsystems, and serve as engineering and technical management liaisons across military branches, contracting organizations, and other government agencies. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Aircraft Mechanics
      • Aircraft mechanics supervise or perform the inspection, service, and repair of the Military's fleet of helicopters and airplanes. These mechanics troubleshoot and maintain the aircraft’s structure, engines, and other components, including mission-critical features such as weapons and electronic warfare, and coatings for stealth purposes. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Aircraft Engine Mechanics
      • Some aircraft mechanics in the Military work solely on the engines, or powerplants, of the aircraft. These mechanics troubleshoot and perform organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance on the engines and related components of the Military’s airplanes and helicopters. Aircraft engine mechanics must have specialized knowledge of the mechanical, electrical, and hydraulics principles applying to jet and turboprop engines. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Electrical Instrument and Equipment Repairers
      • Electrical instrument and equipment repairers install, maintain, and repair instruments and equipment, including communications equipment, radar and sonar systems, tactical data systems, and computers. They use a variety of approaches to troubleshoot and replace faulty components, subassemblies, and assemblies to restore instruments and equipment to optimum operating condition. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Communications Equipment Repairers
      • Communications equipment repairers install, sustain, troubleshoot, and repair standard voice/data/video networks, cable distribution systems, communication security equipment (COMSEC), and cryptographic devices in fixed and deployed environments to ensure the ability to communicate and the Military’s continued success. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Radar and Sonar System Repairers
      • Radar and sonar system repairers troubleshoot and repair radar and associated equipment assemblies, subassemblies, or modular and circuit elements, using test equipment to isolate and fix malfunctions. Radar and sonar system repairers in the Military monitor sophisticated equipment, typically in security-controlled areas, to ensure that the equipment utilized by service members is in perfect working order. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Fleet Maintenance Managers
      • Fleet maintenance managers supervise and coordinate the repair and maintenance of the Military’s airplanes, ships, trucks, and other vehicles. They establish maintenance schedules, develop work procedures, and direct the operation of maintenance crews. They assist in fuel operations and may manage machine shops. From repairing equipment damaged in battle to providing preventive maintenance, these managers are critical for keeping the Military’s fleet strong. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Flight Engineering Technicians
      • Flight engineering technicians perform aircraft inspections; including air crew visual inspection; aircraft maintenance; and preflight, through-flight, and postflight inspections. They perform aircraft-related administrative tasks, flight/ground training, internal/external cargo movement, and passenger transport. They also serve as crew members aboard military aircraft. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$69,280

Military salary*

$56,692

Explore this career in the Military

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$80,950
$38,080
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Post-secondary certificate 49%
  • High school 18%
  • Associate's degree 16%
  • Some college 12%
  • Bachelor's degree 3%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

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Knowledge

  • Mechanical
  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.