Careers · Explore one path
Avionics Technicians
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Other titles employers use
Aircraft Electrical Systems Specialist · Aircraft Technician · Aviation Electrical Technician · Aviation Electronics Technician · Avionics Electronics Technician · Avionics Installer · Avionics Systems Integration Specialist · Avionics Technician (Avionics Tech)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
Subjects to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Customer and Personal Service
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Information Ordering
- Near Vision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.6 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.1 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.2 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a postsecondary certificate. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 62%
- High school or less 18%
- A two-year degree 17%
- A four-year degree 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Operating system software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 3,850
- Job openings each year
- 400
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 11.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 3,850 | 400 | 11.6% |
| California | 2,200 | 210 | 22.2% |
| Florida | 2,080 | 190 | 11.2% |
| Texas | 1,380 | 130 | 12.2% |
| Georgia | 1,320 | 120 | 10.9% |
| Alabama | 1,300 | 120 | 15.0% |
| North Carolina | 820 | 80 | 12.3% |
| Indiana | 780 | 70 | 9.9% |
| Kansas | 650 | 60 | 14.0% |
| Oklahoma | 520 | 50 | 2.0% |
| Louisiana | 430 | 40 | 10.3% |
| Ohio | 360 | 30 | 2.9% |
| Arizona | 340 | 30 | 13.3% |
| Maryland | 340 | 30 | 9.7% |
| Utah | 330 | 30 | 26.9% |
| Virginia | 320 | 30 | 6.7% |
| New Jersey | 310 | 30 | 6.9% |
| Missouri | 290 | 30 | 7.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 280 | 30 | 3.7% |
| Colorado | 270 | 30 | 35.0% |
| Michigan | 270 | 20 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 230 | 20 | 4.5% |
| Wisconsin | 230 | 20 | 27.8% |
| Tennessee | 220 | 20 | 15.8% |
| Nevada | 210 | 20 | 5.0% |
| Nebraska | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Idaho | 190 | 20 | 26.7% |
| South Carolina | 180 | 20 | 5.9% |
| Oregon | 140 | 10 | 27.3% |
| Iowa | 130 | 10 | 30.0% |
| Mississippi | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Montana | 90 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 70 | 10 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| New Mexico | 40 | 0 | — |
| Delaware | 30 | 0 | — |
| Minnesota | 30 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 30 | 0 | — |
| Wyoming | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 314
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college FLEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Degrees each year
- 304
- Admit rate
- 66%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college VAVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 246
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college GAGeorgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 224
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college COUniversity of Colorado Boulder
- Degrees each year
- 218
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college FLUniversity of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 205
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college TXTexas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 162
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college FLUniversity of Florida
- Degrees each year
- 143
- Admit rate
- 24%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Program entryOpen major
Open collegeCompare every college offering aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical/space engineering