What is the salary and career path for a avionics technician?
Avionics technician is an exact match to Avionics Technicians (SOC 49-2091), the BLS code for those who service aircraft electronic systems. The OEWS May 2025 median is $82,280 a year ($39.56 an hour), from $49,410 at the 10th percentile to $113,680 at the 90th, with certification and aircraft complexity driving the spread. BLS projects 8.2% growth over 2024–2034, faster than average, though the occupation is small at roughly 1,800 openings a year. Employers typically want avionics or electronics training plus an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, and many technicians add the FAA A&P certificate.
- Avionics Technicians earn a national median $82,280/yr ($39.56/hr) (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 49-2091); the top 10% clear $113,680.
- Employers typically want avionics or electronics training plus an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, and many techs add the FAA A&P.
- BLS projects 8.2% growth for 2024–34 across the avionics-technician code, faster than average, but the occupation is small at about 1,800 openings a year.
- The ladder runs from bench tech through avionics technician and systems integration to shop supervisor near $113,680.
Career Path
How do you become an avionics technician?
Avionics Trainee / Bench Tech
Tests and repairs components under supervision; pay near the BLS 10th percentile.
Avionics Technician
Installs and troubleshoots aircraft electronic systems — around the $82,280 median.
Senior Avionics / Systems Technician
Handles complex integration and modifications; earnings near the 75th percentile.
Avionics Lead / Shop Supervisor
Runs an avionics shop or program; top-decile pay near the 90th percentile.
BLS Salary Data
Which state pays avionics technicians the most in 2026?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 49-2091. National median: $82,280. Full salary guide →
Pay Comparison
How does avionics technician pay compare to related roles?
Head-to-head against the roles avionics technicians most often weigh against. BLS OEWS May 2025 medians.
Takeaway: avionics technicians rank 2 of 4 on median pay among the comparable roles above, with a projected +8.2% employment change 2024–34 (BLS Employment Projections). Pay position and projected demand together are what determine how quickly avionics technicians clear offers across the GlobalCybers placement network.
Methodology & Sources
How this guide is sourced and reviewed
Wages (BLS): All median and percentile figures are BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 49-2091 (avionics technicians) and the matching SOC codes for each comparison role. OEWS is sampled on a rolling 3-year basis and published ~10 months after collection, so treat it as a firm anchor rather than a spot rate.
Job growth: Projected 2024–34 employment change, and the average annual openings figure, are from the BLS Employment Projections program, by occupation. Openings are a per-year average over the projection decade, not a decade total.
Licensing & credentials:Requirements are drawn from the issuing state licensing boards and the certifying body behind each credential — not from third-party aggregators.
Demand signal:Any statement about how quickly this role clears offers reflects GlobalCybers placement request volume across the trailing 12 months — our own network data, offered as a directional real-world indicator alongside BLS, not a market-wide survey.
Credentials
What licences and certifications do avionics technicians need?
Federal license required to install and repair aircraft transmitters, radar and radios. See all state licences →
Common addition letting avionics techs approve related aircraft maintenance for return to service.
OEM courses on specific navigation, communication and flight-control systems.
Tools & Software
What tools and software do avionics technicians use on the job?
⚙️ Core Tools & Equipment
📊 BLS Employment Data, SOC 49-2091
Salary Levers
How do avionics technicians earn above the $82,280 BLS median?
FCC GROL plus FAA A&P
Holding both the GROL and an A&P moves pay from the $82,280 median toward the $113,680 top decile.
Systems integration complexity
Complex retrofit and completions integration work pays above entry bench roles near the $49,410 p10.
Lead and shop supervision
Avionics-lead and shop-supervisor roles push earnings toward the top of the range.
This Route vs. College
Is becoming an avionics technician worth it vs. a 4-year degree?
The entry route into this role, set against a four-year degree. Same starting line, side by side.
Entry-level (10th percentile) and all-level median wages: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 49-2091. Student-debt figure: median federal borrower balance for bachelor's-degree completers. Starting-salary comparison is illustrative and varies by field and region.
FAQ
Avionics Technician Career, Frequently Asked Questions
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