Career comparison
Avionics Technician vs. Electronics Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Avionics technicians earn more at the median ($82,280 vs. $78,190), while avionics technicians usually get to work faster (12–24 months of training). Avionics technicians install, test and repair the electronics that fly and navigate aircraft. Electronics technicians build, test and troubleshoot electronic circuits and equipment.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Avionics Technician | Electronics Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $82,280 ($39.56/hr) | $78,190 ($37.59/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,410 – $113,680 | $49,510 – $115,700 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.4% (much faster than average) | +2.4% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,700 | 8,100 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 12–24 months | 2 years |
| Key credential | FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate | ETA International Certified Electronics Technician (CET) |
| Work setting | Technicians work in hangars, repair stations and flight lines, often in cramped cockpits and equipment bays. | Technicians work in labs, factories and field sites, at benches with test equipment, often in clean or ESD-controlled areas.. |
What each job does
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
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 steady routines. They sit in different fields, mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing and technology, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose avionics technician if…
- I love electronics and aircraft
- I’m precise with small connections
- I like troubleshooting systems
Choose electronics technician if…
- I like electronics
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I have steady hands
Still torn? Take the Avionics Technician fit quiz and the Electronics Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, avionics technician or electronics technician?
Avionics Technicians earn more at the median: $82,280 versus $78,190 for electronics technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Avionics Technicians typically train faster (12–24 months) than electronics technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects avionics technicians to grow +9.4% from 2025–35, compared with +2.4% for electronics technicians.