SOC 17-3021.00Bright outlook

    Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

    Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles.

    Median pay
    $82,890
    Growth
    +11.9%
    Much faster than average
    Openings a year
    1,100
    Typical education
    Associate's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $59,050
    Median
    $82,890
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $125,160
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    11,280 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians run, install, and maintain the computer and communications systems used to launch and track air and space vehicles. The median annual pay for this career is $82,890.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians do

    Job Zone 3: Medium preparation

    Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

    Usually vocational training, an associate degree or related experience.

    What the work is like

    These professionals work daily with integrated computer systems, simulators, and data acquisition instruments. Their main tasks involve getting information, monitoring processes, and identifying objects or actions to evaluate air and space vehicles. They frequently document test data, solve complex problems, and communicate their findings to supervisors and peers.

    To succeed in this field, workers need strong skills in critical thinking, troubleshooting, and operations monitoring. They must apply knowledge of engineering, physics, mathematics, and computers. Because they test and maintain sensitive aerospace equipment, workers must show high attention to detail, dependability, and cautiousness to ensure everything complies with safety standards. This role strongly appeals to individuals with realistic interests who enjoy hands-on, practical work.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, individuals typically need an associate's degree. The occupation requires a medium level of preparation, which often includes vocational training, an associate degree, or related practical experience.

    Students preparing for this field often major in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering technologies, electrical engineering technologies, vehicle maintenance and repair, or military systems and maintenance technology. Professionals can also earn certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Examples of these credentials include the Certified Calibration Technician, Certified Quality Technician, Certified Technology Manager, Corrosion Technician, and the ISA Certified Control Systems Technician - Level I.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $82,890. The lowest 10% of workers in this field earned less than $59,050, while the highest 10% earned more than $125,160.

    There were 11,280 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 11.9%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in about 1,100 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    91 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    69 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    0 / 100
    Social (S)
    0 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    7 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    72 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RCI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Getting Information
    91
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    89
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    88
    Working with Computers
    86
    Documenting/Recording Information
    85
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    82
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    82
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    80
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    75
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    74
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Critical Thinking
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Active Listening
    • Speaking
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Troubleshooting
    • Monitoring

    Knowledge

    • Mechanical
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Production and Processing
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • English Language
    • Administrative
    • Physics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Education and Training

    Abilities

    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Information Ordering
    • Near Vision
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Expression
    • Flexibility of Closure

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Perseverance
    • Adaptability
    • Self-Control
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Cooperation

    Also called

    Aerographer · Aerospace Assembler · Aerospace Engineering Technologist · Aerospace Mechanic · Aerospace Operations Technologist · Aerospace Physiological Technician · Aerospace Technician · Aircraft Research Mechanic · Altitude Chamber Technician · Avionics Installation Technician

    Career pathway

    From your interests to aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians$82,890 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1California State University Maritime Academy logo
      California State University Maritime Academy

      Vallejo, CA · Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $97,197
      4 yrs after
      $126,209
      Median debt
      $26,935
    2. 2University of Southern California USC logo
      University of Southern California USC

      Los Angeles, CA · Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $88,334
      4 yrs after
      $125,514
      Median debt
      $19,125
    3. 3
      University of Massachusetts-Lowell

      Lowell, MA · Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $120,219
      Median debt
      Not reported
    4. 4University of Colorado Boulder Main Campus logo
      University of Colorado Boulder Main Campus

      Boulder, CO · Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $80,376
      4 yrs after
      $116,350
      Median debt
      $22,750
    5. 5University of California-Los Angeles UCLA logo
      University of California-Los Angeles UCLA

      Los Angeles, CA · Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $88,702
      4 yrs after
      $115,706
      Median debt
      $14,095
    6. 6University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus logo
      University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus

      Ann Arbor, MI · Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $85,422
      4 yrs after
      $115,075
      Median debt
      $21,000
    7. 7Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT logo
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

      Cambridge, MA · Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $94,732
      4 yrs after
      $114,620
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8
      University of Washington-Seattle Main Campus

      Seattle, WA · Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $88,006
      4 yrs after
      $111,349
      Median debt
      $15,925

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician
    • Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology
    • Air and Space Operations Technology
    • Astronautical Engineering
    • Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician
    • Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician
    • Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

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    Questions about aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some common job titles in this field?

    People in this career are known by various titles, including aerospace technician, avionics installation technician, altitude chamber technician, aerospace mechanic, and aerographer.

    What is the job outlook for this career?

    Employment is projected to grow by 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the average growth rate. This expansion is expected to create 1,100 job openings each year.

    What kind of education is typically required?

    Most workers enter the field with an associate's degree. The career generally requires vocational training, an associate degree, or related technical experience.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.