# Avionics Technicians

> Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/avionics-technicians
- SOC code: 49-2091.00
- Career family: Installation and repair
- Median annual pay: $82,280 (10th percentile $49,410, 90th percentile $113,680)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +9.4%
- Openings a year: 1,700
- Typical entry education: Postsecondary certificate
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 55 |
| Artistic (A) | 3 |
| Social (S) | 6 |
| Enterprising (E) | 1 |
| Conventional (C) | 57 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 85/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 85/100)
- Getting Information (importance 84/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (importance 83/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 79/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 79/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 76/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 75/100)
- Training and Teaching Others (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making

## Knowledge

Computers and Electronics, Mechanical, English Language, Engineering and Technology, Customer and Personal Service, Telecommunications, Design, Mathematics, Education and Training, Public Safety and Security

## Also called

Aircraft Avionics Technician (Aircraft Avionics Tech), Aircraft Electrical Systems Specialist, Aircraft Electrician, Aircraft Technician (Aircraft Tech), Airplane Technician (Airplane Tech), Aviation Electrical Technician (Aviation Electrical Tech), Aviation Electrician, Aviation Electronics Technician (Aviation Electronics Tech), Aviation Maintenance Technician (Aviation Maintenance Tech), Avionic Technician (Avionic Tech)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4706) (CIP 4706, 713 colleges)
- [Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1402) (CIP 1402, 96 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Southern California USC](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $88,334 | $125,514 | $19,125 |
| [University of Colorado Boulder Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-colorado-boulder-main-campus-2899) | Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $80,376 | $116,350 | $22,750 |
| [University of California-Los Angeles UCLA](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $88,702 | $115,706 | $14,095 |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $85,422 | $115,075 | $21,000 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $94,732 | $114,620 | not reported |
| [University of Washington-Seattle Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-washington-seattle-main-campus-3075) | Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $88,006 | $111,349 | $15,925 |
| [Illinois Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/illinois-institute-of-technology-1263) | Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $82,501 | $110,956 | $24,687 |
| [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo SLO](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo-slo-360) | Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $88,269 | $107,498 | $19,333 |

## Related careers

- [Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aerospace-engineering-and-operations-technologists-and-technicians): $82,890 median pay
- [Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-mechanics-and-service-technicians): $79,870 median pay
- [Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electro-mechanical-and-mechatronics-technologists-and-technicians): $73,900 median pay
- [Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers): $65,380 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-repairers-commercial-and-industrial-equipment): $74,090 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-installers-and-repairers-transportation-equipment): $84,890 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.