Career comparison
Avionics Technician vs. Transportation Equipment Electrician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Transportation equipment electricians earn more at the median ($84,890 vs. $82,280), 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. Transportation equipment electricians install and repair electrical systems on trains, ships, buses and other vehicles.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Avionics Technician | Transportation Equipment Electrician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $82,280 ($39.56/hr) | $84,890 ($40.81/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,410 – $113,680 | $50,750 – $116,810 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.4% (much faster than average) | +5.4% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,700 | 500 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 12–24 months | Training program plus months on the job |
| Key credential | FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate | Electrical certificate |
| Work setting | Technicians work in hangars, repair stations and flight lines, often in cramped cockpits and equipment bays. | Electricians work in rail yards, transit shops, shipyards and maintenance facilities.. |
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
Transportation Equipment Electrician
- Install wiring and electrical systems
- Troubleshoot faults
- Repair motors and controls
- Read schematics
- Test systems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, teamwork, and high-pay. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose avionics technician if…
- I love electronics and aircraft
- I’m precise with small connections
- I like troubleshooting systems
Choose transportation equipment electrician if…
- I like electrical work
- I like trains, ships or buses
- I read schematics well
Still torn? Take the Avionics Technician fit quiz and the Transportation Equipment Electrician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, avionics technician or transportation equipment electrician?
Transportation Equipment Electricians earn more at the median: $84,890 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 transportation equipment electricians (Training program plus months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects avionics technicians to grow +9.4% from 2025–35, compared with +5.4% for transportation equipment electricians.