Aircraft Mechanic
Inspect, maintain and repair airplanes and helicopters to FAA standards.
- $79,870
- 18–30 months
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Avionics Technician
Also called: Aircraft Electronics Technician · Avionics Installer · Aircraft Electrician · Avionics Specialist
What avionics technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an avionics technician do?
Avionics technicians install, inspect, test and repair aircraft electronic systems, including navigation, communication, flight controls, radar, autopilot and electrical systems. The median pay is $82,280 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 12–24 months, and employment is projected to grow +9.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$82,280$39.56/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+9.4%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year1,700Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationPostsecondary nondegree awardBLS classification
- Time to train12–24 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs19,800Employment, 2025
What avionics technicians do
Avionics technicians keep the electronic systems in aircraft working: radios, navigation and GPS, transponders and ADS-B, autopilots, weather radar, flight displays and wiring. They troubleshoot with test equipment, install new systems and modifications, follow wiring diagrams and maintenance manuals precisely, and document everything to FAA standards.
Most technicians train at FAA-approved aviation maintenance schools or avionics programs, in the military, or on the job at repair stations. Some hold an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate, an FCC radio license or NCATT certification. Demand comes from airlines, business aviation, helicopters, manufacturers and repair stations.
Typical duties
- Troubleshoot avionics and electrical systems
- Install and modify avionics equipment and wiring
- Test systems with specialized test equipment
- Read wiring diagrams and maintenance manuals
- Perform inspections and functional checks
- Repair harnesses, connectors and components
- Complete FAA maintenance records
Work environment and schedule
Technicians work in hangars, repair stations and flight lines, often in cramped cockpits and equipment bays. The work requires precision and careful handling of sensitive electronics.
Schedule: Many work full-time day shifts; airline and charter work may include nights, weekends and rotating shifts.
A day in the life
- Review work orders for a business jet in for an avionics upgrade.
- Remove panels and route new wiring for an ADS-B transponder.
- Terminate connectors and check continuity with a multimeter.
- Troubleshoot an intermittent radio fault on a turboprop.
See a full day in the life of an avionics technician →
Avionics Technician salary
Half of avionics technicians earned more than $82,280 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $49,410 for the lowest 10% to $113,680 for the top 10%.
Full avionics technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an avionics technician
- Study electronics
- Complete an aviation or avionics program
- Earn certifications
- Work at a repair station or airline
- Advance
Many avionics technicians complete an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician program or an avionics certificate, often 12 to 24 months. Military training is another common path.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an avionics technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Electrical and electronics troubleshooting
- Wiring diagram reading
- Harness and connector repair
- Avionics installation
- Test equipment operation
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Patience
- Problem solving
- Integrity
All avionics technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- High-tech, precise work
- Strong pay in aviation
- Demand across airlines, business jets and helicopters
- Skills transferable to aerospace manufacturing
Cons
- Cramped work spaces
- Strict documentation and regulations
- Pressure to return aircraft to service
- Shift work at some employers
Certifications and licenses
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate: Required for many maintenance sign-offs; valuable for avionics techs.
- FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL): Required for some radio transmitter work.
- NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET): Industry certification for avionics technicians.
- Manufacturer training: Training from avionics makers such as Garmin, Collins or Honeywell.
Career path
- Avionics Apprentice or Installer: Learn wiring and installations.
- Avionics Technician: Troubleshoot and repair systems.
- Lead Technician or Inspector: Lead projects and inspect work.
- Avionics Manager or Engineering Technician: Manage shops or support engineering.
Learn the job before day one
Our Avionics Technician training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as troubleshoot an intermittent avionics fault and crimp an aircraft connector pin, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Avionics Technician vs. Aircraft Mechanic · Avionics Technician vs. Electronics Technician · Avionics Technician vs. Electrician · Avionics Technician vs. Biomed Technician
Avionics Technician FAQ
Do avionics technicians need an A&P license?
Not always, but it’s valuable and required for some sign-offs.
How long does training take?
Most programs take 12 to 24 months.
Where do avionics technicians work?
Airlines, repair stations, aircraft manufacturers, helicopter operators and the military.
How much does an avionics technician make?
The median annual wage for avionics technicians was $82,280 ($39.56 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $49,410 and the highest 10% earned more than $113,680.
How long does it take to become an avionics technician?
Most people need about 12–24 months of training. Many avionics technicians complete an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician program or an avionics certificate, often 12 to 24 months. Military training is another common path.
Do you need a degree to be an avionics technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education.
More avionics technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-2091 (Avionics technicians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Avionics technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.