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What is an Avionics Technician?
Career Description Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Avionics Technician Responsibilities
- Keep records of maintenance and repair work.
- Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
- Operate computer-aided drafting and design applications to design avionics system modifications.
- Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.
- Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.
- Assemble prototypes or models of circuits, instruments, and systems for use in testing.
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Things an Avionics Technician Should Know How to Do
Avionics Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Related Job Titles
- In-Flight Refueling System Repairer
- Aircraft Technician
- Aviation Electronics Technician
- Aircraft Electrician
- Electrical and Radio Aircraft Mechanic
Avionics Technician Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 17,500 jobs for Avionics Technician in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,500 job openings in this field each year.
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.
Avionics Technician Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Avionics Technicians is somewhere between $39,940 and $94,710.
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Avionics Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Avionics Technicians:
- 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
Becoming an Avionics Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become an Avionics Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Avionics Technicians Sector
Below are examples of industries where Avionics Technicians work:
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References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.