How much does an avionics technicians make?

The median avionics technicians salary in the United States is $82,280 per year ($39.56/hour). Salaries range from $49,410 (10th percentile) to $113,680 (90th percentile). There are 18,830 avionics technicians jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays avionics technicianss the most?

The highest paying state for avionics technicianss is Pennsylvania at $117,470 median salary.

Is avionics technicians a good career?

Avionics Technicians employment is projected to grow 8.2% from 2024 to 2034 (faster than average). There are approximately 1,800 job openings per year. Typical education required: Postsecondary nondegree award.

What interview questions are asked for avionics technicians roles?

Common avionics technicians interview questions include: "Walk me through troubleshooting a nav radio that's intermittent.", "How do you handle a discrepancy that can't be replicated on the ground?", "Describe a complex install you completed.". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example Delta TechOps, United Tech Ops, American Airlines TAESL typically uses 3-4 rounds.

What is the career ladder for avionics technicianss?

The typical avionics technicians career ladder: Apprentice / Trainee (0-2 yrs, $48-65k) → Avionics Technician (2-8 yrs, $68-92k) → Sr Avionics Technician / Lead (7-15 yrs, $92-125k) → Avionics Engineer / Chief Technician / Foreman (12+ yrs, $115-175k+).

What certifications should avionics technicianss get?

Top-ROI certifications for avionics technicianss: FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate ($25-45k for Part 147 school or included in military training); FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) ($150 initial + $80 renewal biannually); NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) — Basic, Advanced, Master ($100-400 per level).

How do you negotiate a avionics technicians salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $82,280, p75 $99,110), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. Given 6 years of avionics experience, FAA A&P + NCATT AET Advanced, type training on Boeing 737 NG/MAX, and 3 STC installations, market for a Sr Avionics Technician at an airline base or major MRO in this metro is $95-1...

Avionics Technicians Salary

The median avionics technicians salary in the United States is $82,280 per year ($39.56/hour). Salaries range from $49,410 at the entry level to $113,680+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 18,830 avionics technicians jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 8.2% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asAvionics Technician

Median Salary

$82,280

per year

Hourly Rate

$39.56

per hour

Employment

18,830

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$49,410

25th percentile

$63,900

Median

$82,280

75th percentile

$99,110

90th percentile

$113,680

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+8.2%

Faster than average

Annual Openings

1,800

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Postsecondary nondegree award

Avionics Technicians Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for avionics technicianss.

Avionics technicians install, test, troubleshoot, and repair aircraft electronic systems — navigation, communication, radar, autopilot, and flight-management systems. Careers span commercial airlines, MRO shops, corporate aviation, general aviation, and defense (military and contractor). Entry $52-72k; established $72-95k; senior avionics tech $95-125k; lead technician or avionics engineer $115-165k+. FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate plus specialty training is standard; NCATT AET certification is a growing requirement.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Electrical schematic and wiring diagram interpretation

Read complex aircraft schematics, MEL, and IPC (illustrated parts catalog). Wire bundles on modern aircraft run thousands of feet.

Troubleshooting and fault isolation

Systematic diagnosis using BITE (built-in test equipment), signal generators, and oscilloscopes. Every hour on the ground is money for airlines — fast, correct fault isolation matters.

System installation and STC compliance

Installing new avionics per FAA-approved data (STCs, AMOCs). Every install must meet certification standards and pass inspection.

Return-to-service and documentation

Sign off maintenance in aircraft logs and computer maintenance systems. Documentation is legal record — accuracy is critical.

RF theory and antenna installation

Comm/nav/xponder antennas, cable routing, and SWR testing. Poor RF installation causes intermittent faults that plague aircraft for years.

Autopilot and FMS integration

Autopilot troubleshooting, FMS database updates, and integration with flight director systems. Modern aircraft avionics are heavily integrated.

Composite and metal skin work basics

Antenna and access panel installation on composite and aluminum airframes. Not the primary skill but avionics work often requires it.

How to Become a Avionics Technicians

1
Complete an FAA Part 147 A&P school or military avionics training
18-24 months for FAA A&P; military training (Navy AT, Air Force 2A5X1, Army 15N) is equivalent path. Community college option common.
2
Earn FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate
18 months of experience or completion of Part 147 school, plus written, oral, and practical exams. Baseline credential for airline and MRO hiring.
3
Complete NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification
Not FAA required but industry-standard for avionics specialty. Some employers require AET before senior roles.
4
Add manufacturer training (Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, Garmin, Boeing, Airbus)
OEM-specific training on FMS, autopilot, and communication suites. Required for line maintenance at airlines and MRO.
5
Advance to Sr Technician, Lead, or Avionics Engineer
$95-165k+. Sr technicians handle complex integrations and new-install work. Lead technicians manage shifts; avionics engineers own the technical direction.

Career Progression

Apprentice / Trainee

0-2 yrs$48-65k

•Complete A&P school or apprenticeship hours
•Support licensed technicians on line and heavy maintenance
•Learn manufacturer-specific systems and toolsets
•Build tool inventory ($3-8k over first 2 years)

Next: Avionics Technician at 1-3 years.

Avionics Technician

2-8 yrs$68-92k

•Line and heavy maintenance under an inspector's authority
•Troubleshoot and repair navigation, communication, and instruments
•New avionics installations to STC
•Return-to-service documentation

Next: Sr Technician or Lead at 6-12 years.

Sr Avionics Technician / Lead

7-15 yrs$92-125k

•Complex integrations and modification work
•Shift lead responsibilities at MRO or airline base
•Mentor junior technicians
•Interface with engineering and management on troubleshooting escalations

Next: Avionics Engineer, Inspector, or Foreman at 12-18 years.

Avionics Engineer / Chief Technician / Foreman

12+ yrs$115-175k+

•Own avionics engineering for airline fleet or MRO
•Approve modification programs and troubleshooting escalations
•Lead teams of 10-25 technicians
•Interface with FAA, OEMs, and operators on major issues

Next: Director of Maintenance or Chief Engineer.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through troubleshooting a nav radio that's intermittent.technical

Start with the ATA-100 chapter (COM/NAV Chapter 34). Check for MEL discrepancies. Verify with BITE test — pass or fail. If ambiguous, swap known-good LRU (line-replaceable unit) and re-test. Then check antenna and coax — SWR test, physical inspection. If still intermittent, look at power and grounding. Document each step. Rule: change one thing at a time.

Q2. How do you handle a discrepancy that can't be replicated on the ground?situational

Ground checks first — even if it doesn't repeat, verify systems are in normal operating limits. Consult with flight crew about specific conditions when it occurred. Involve engineering if a suspected trend on the fleet. Sometimes an operational test flight is warranted. Never sign off if the symptom isn't understood.

Q3. Describe a complex install you completed.behavioral

STAR. Situation: STC installation of ADS-B Out compliance on a Cessna Citation with existing pre-2020 avionics. Task: complete the install and ADS-B pairing test on schedule. Action: reviewed STC drawings, pulled cable per approved routing, terminated antennas and Mode-S transponder pairing, tested per FAA AC 20-165. Result: aircraft returned to service on schedule and passed FAA ADS-B monitor validation.

Q4. Why avionics?culture

Aviation is a heavily regulated environment where precision matters — I like that the standards are clear and the work is high-stakes. Avionics specifically because the technical complexity keeps growing with fly-by-wire, ADS-B, integrated flight management. And the pay is solid at senior levels.

Q5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?closer

Sr Avionics Technician with type-training on 2-3 aircraft types, and manufacturer certifications on major FMS and autopilot systems. Long term I'd consider Avionics Engineer or Chief Tech track.

Resume Template — Avionics Technician (2-8 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Avionics Technician (2-8 yrs)

▸Line and heavy maintenance on Boeing 737 NG/MAX at [airline base]; 240+ discrepancies cleared in FY24.
▸FAA A&P + NCATT AET Advanced. Honeywell Primus Epic and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 training.
▸3 STC installations completed as sole technician (ADS-B, TAWS, ELT upgrades).
▸Secret clearance eligible; prior 6-year Navy AT rating.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Poor documentation — aircraft logs and computer-maintenance-system entries are legal records.
✗Cuts corners on ground test or safety of flight items — career-ending in aviation.
✗Weak schematic reading — you can't troubleshoot what you can't read.
✗Doesn't stay current on ADs and Service Bulletins — a professional obligation.
✗Poor toolbox control — foreign object damage from lost tools is a huge issue in aviation maintenance.
✗Refuses to admit uncertainty — 'I don't know, let me research' is the correct answer more often than not.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓A&P + IA (Inspection Authorization) — required for return-to-service on certain maintenance.
✓NCATT AET certification — direct pay bump at MRO and airlines.
✓Manufacturer type training (Boeing 787, Airbus A350, Gulfstream G650) — premium at airlines and corporate.
✓Secret or Top Secret clearance — critical for defense contractor work; adds 15-25% premium.
✓Airlines vs corporate vs MRO — corporate aviation pays highest but hours are irregular; airlines pay steady.
✓Metro premium: airline hubs (ATL, DFW, LAX, DEN, ORD, EWR) offer union and shift differentials.

Avionics Technicians Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired avionics technicianss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

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Avionics Technicians Career Kit — $19

✓ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
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✓ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
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Avionics Technicians Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$42K

$117K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
Pennsylvania	$117,470	+42.8%	70
New Jersey	$100,250	+21.8%	260
Maryland	$97,490	+18.5%	160
Alabama	$95,920	+16.6%	910
Alaska	$94,810	+15.2%	50
New Mexico	$94,020	+14.3%	0
California	$92,480	+12.4%	1,220
Washington	$91,380	+11.1%	3,400
Massachusetts	$89,340	+8.6%	40
New Hampshire	$86,830	+5.5%	30

Showing 1–10 of 42

Avionics Technicians Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$129,320	+57.2%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$117,470	+42.8%
Tulsa, OK	$108,840	+32.3%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$107,370	+30.5%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$101,880	+23.8%
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$101,850	+23.8%
Mobile, AL	$100,220	+21.8%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$100,200	+21.8%
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$99,420	+20.8%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$98,630	+19.9%

Showing 1–10 of 65

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A avionics technicians earning $82,280/year would need 724 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 778 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

See all sports & celebrity salaries →

📈 See how avionics technicians salaries have changed over the past decade.

View Avionics Technicians salary trend (2011–2024) →