Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 19,600 people employed as avionics technicians in the United States. The median annual salary is $69,280. Entry level employees earn approximately $38,700 per year and senior employees earn approximately $100,860 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
• Keep records of maintenance and repair work.
• Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.
• Install electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in aircraft, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering irons.
• Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.
• Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.
• Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams.
• Connect components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refueling systems, using hand tools and soldering irons.
• Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.
• Coordinate work with that of engineers, technicians, and other aircraft maintenance personnel.
• Fabricate parts and test aids as required.
• Assemble prototypes or models of circuits, instruments, and systems for use in testing.
• Operate computer-aided drafting and design applications to design avionics system modifications.

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