Hiring guide · Science, Engineering & Lab
How to Hire an Aerospace Engineering Technician
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring aerospace engineering technicians, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $82,890), recruit through community college and university engineering technology and science programs, verify NASA workmanship standards where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for aerospace engineering technicians
There are about 11,600 aerospace engineering technicians employed in the U.S., with roughly 1,100 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +11.9% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $59,050–$67,680 | $28.39–$32.54 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $111,280 | $53.50 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $125,160 | $60.17 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Associate's degree (typical entry level)
- Test setup
- Attention to detail
Nice-to-haves
- NASA workmanship standards
- IPC certifications
- Security clearance
- Experience with data acquisition systems
Where to find aerospace engineering technicians
- Community college and university engineering technology and science programs
- Co-op and internship programs
- Professional societies such as ASCE, ASME and IEEE
- Military technical veterans
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Aerospace Technician, Test Technician, Avionics Test Technician, Space Systems Technician
Screening checklist
- Degree, transcript or credential verification (PE, FE, ASCP) where required
- A practical exercise, lab test or CAD drawing review
- Background checks for regulated or secure facilities
- Reference checks focused on accuracy and documentation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Have you set up tests?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “What instrumentation do you know?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
3. “How do you handle anomalies?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Can you get a clearance?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
5. “Why aerospace?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Install a Strain Gauge (see the steps)
- Run a Test Procedure Step by Step (see the steps)
- Check Data Quality During a Test (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Strain gauge, DAQ, Test cell
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Aerospace Engineering Technician 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Aerospace Engineering Technician training. Show them the path forward: Technician → Senior Technician → Test Lead → Test Engineer.
Hiring aerospace engineering technicians: FAQ
How much should I pay an aerospace engineering technician?
The U.S. median wage for aerospace engineering technicians is $82,890 per year ($39.85/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($67,680), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($111,280). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an aerospace engineering technician have?
BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for NASA workmanship standards and IPC certifications where relevant, plus skills such as test setup, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
How long does it take to train a new aerospace engineering technician?
Becoming qualified typically takes 2-year degree. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”