Career comparison
Aerospace Engineering Technician vs. Electronics 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. $78,190), while aerospace engineering technicians usually get to work faster (2-year degree of training). Aerospace engineering technicians build, test and maintain aircraft and spacecraft systems alongside engineers. Electronics technicians build, test and troubleshoot electronic circuits and equipment.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Aerospace Engineering Technician | Electronics Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $82,890 ($39.85/hr) | $78,190 ($37.59/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $59,050 – $125,160 | $49,510 – $115,700 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +11.9% (much faster than average) | +2.4% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 8,100 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 2-year degree | 2 years |
| Key credential | NASA workmanship standards | ETA International Certified Electronics Technician (CET) |
| Work setting | Technicians work in labs, test cells, hangars and launch sites.. | Technicians work in labs, factories and field sites, at benches with test equipment, often in clean or ESD-controlled areas.. |
What each job does
Aerospace Engineering Technician
- Build test setups
- Install sensors
- Run tests
- Record data
- Maintain test equipment
Electronics Technician
- Build and assemble prototypes
- Solder and rework circuit boards
- Test circuits and systems
- Troubleshoot electronic failures
- Calibrate and maintain equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and high-pay. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and technology, 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 electronics technician if…
- I like electronics
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I have steady hands
Still torn? Take the Aerospace Engineering Technician fit quiz and the Electronics Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, aerospace engineering technician or electronics technician?
Aerospace Engineering Technicians earn more at the median: $82,890 versus $78,190 for electronics technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Aerospace Engineering Technicians typically train faster (2-year degree) than electronics technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects aerospace engineering technicians to grow +11.9% from 2025–35, compared with +2.4% for electronics technicians.