Find Trade Colleges
All About Avionics Technicians
Example of Avionics Technician Job Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Life As an Avionics Technician
- Install electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in aircraft, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering irons.
- Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.
- Keep records of maintenance and repair work.
- Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.
- Operate computer-aided drafting and design applications to design avionics system modifications.
- Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Avionics Technician?
Below is a list of the skills most Avionics Technicians say are important on the job.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Aviation Maintenance Technician
- Instrument Specialist
- Avionics Systems Integration Specialist
- Aircraft Instrument Mechanic
- Aviation Electronics Technician
Job Outlook for Avionics Technicians
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 17,500 jobs in the United States for Avionics Technician. 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.
What is the Average Salary of an Avionics Technician
Avionics Technicians make between $39,940 and $94,710 a year.
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 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
Education needed to be an Avionics Technician:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Avionics Technician?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming an Avionics Technician might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as an Avionics Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.