Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Avionics Technician

Find Schools Near

What Does it Take to Be an Avionics Technician?

Position Description Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

List of Avionics Technician Job Duties

  • Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.
  • Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
  • Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.
  • Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.
  • Operate computer-aided drafting and design applications to design avionics system modifications.
  • Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Avionics Technician?

These are the skills Avionics Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:

Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

  • Avionics Systems Integration Specialist
  • Test Technician
  • Airplane Electrical Repairer
  • Automatic Pilot Mechanic
  • Avionics Electronics Technician

Are There Job Opportunities for Avionics Technicians?

There were about 17,500 jobs for Avionics Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,100 new jobs for Avionics Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,500 yearly job openings in this field.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Avionics Technician are Alabama, Nevada, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in Washington, Kansas, or Tennessee. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Avionics Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?

The salary for Avionics Technicians ranges between about $39,940 and $94,710 a year.

undefined

Avionics Technicians who work in Maryland, Massachusetts, or California, make the highest salaries.

How much do Avionics Technicians make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $55,370
Alaska $71,070
Arizona $66,330
Arkansas $56,130
California $70,710
Colorado $61,030
Delaware $59,680
Florida $61,730
Georgia $66,630
Hawaii $69,370
Idaho $50,570
Illinois $60,240
Indiana $59,190
Kansas $60,530
Kentucky $62,060
Louisiana $51,900
Maryland $73,110
Massachusetts $70,190
Minnesota $57,540
Mississippi $57,680
Missouri $68,920
Nevada $65,360
New Jersey $71,360
New Mexico $58,460
New York $67,550
North Carolina $56,750
Ohio $50,410
Oklahoma $58,760
Oregon $69,330
Pennsylvania $66,090
South Carolina $60,990
Tennessee $61,390
Texas $56,680
Utah $59,530
Virginia $64,520
Wisconsin $54,470

Tools & Technologies Used by Avionics Technicians

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Avionics Technicians may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Data entry software
  • Word processing software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Linux
  • UNIX
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • SAP software
  • Software development tools
  • Maintenance record software
  • Apache Webserver
  • C++
  • Computer diagnostic software

How to Become an Avionics Technician

What education or degrees do I need to become an Avionics Technician?

undefined

How many years of work experience do I need?

undefined

Who Employs Avionics Technicians?

undefined

Avionics Technicians work in the following industries:

undefined

Those interested in being an Avionics Technician may also be interested in:

Those who work as an Avionics Technician sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.