Career comparison
Aerospace Engineering Technician vs. Avionics Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Aerospace engineering technicians earn more at the median ($82,890 vs. $82,280), while avionics technicians usually get to work faster (12–24 months of training). Aerospace engineering technicians build, test and maintain aircraft and spacecraft systems alongside engineers. Avionics technicians install, test and repair the electronics that fly and navigate aircraft.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Aerospace Engineering Technician | Avionics Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $82,890 ($39.85/hr) | $82,280 ($39.56/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $59,050 – $125,160 | $49,410 – $113,680 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +11.9% (much faster than average) | +9.4% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 2-year degree | 12–24 months |
| Key credential | NASA workmanship standards | FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate |
| Work setting | Technicians work in labs, test cells, hangars and launch sites.. | Technicians work in hangars, repair stations and flight lines, often in cramped cockpits and equipment bays. |
What each job does
Aerospace Engineering Technician
- Build test setups
- Install sensors
- Run tests
- Record data
- Maintain test equipment
Avionics Technician
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, in-demand, problem-solving, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose aerospace engineering technician if…
- I love aerospace
- I like hands-on testing
- I’m detail-oriented
Choose avionics technician if…
- I love electronics and aircraft
- I’m precise with small connections
- I like troubleshooting systems
Still torn? Take the Aerospace Engineering Technician fit quiz and the Avionics Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, aerospace engineering technician or avionics technician?
Aerospace Engineering Technicians earn more at the median: $82,890 versus $82,280 for avionics technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Avionics Technicians typically train faster (12–24 months) than aerospace engineering technicians (2-year degree).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects aerospace engineering technicians to grow +11.9% from 2025–35, compared with +9.4% for avionics technicians.