Aerospace technician vs avionics technician

The differences between aerospace technicians and avionics technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an aerospace technician, becoming an avionics technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an avionics technician has an average salary of $55,545, which is higher than the $38,579 average annual salary of an aerospace technician.

The top three skills for an aerospace technician include safety procedures, calipers and hand tools. The most important skills for an avionics technician are FAA, hand tools, and electrical systems.

Aerospace technician vs avionics technician overview

	Aerospace Technician	Avionics Technician
Yearly salary	$38,579	$55,545
Hourly rate	$18.55	$26.70
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	25,348	25,603
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 34%	Associate Degree, 41%
Average age	45	33
Years of experience	2	4

Aerospace technician vs avionics technician salary

Aerospace technicians and avionics technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Aerospace Technician	Avionics Technician
Average salary	$38,579	$55,545
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $54,000	Between $40,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	-	Everett, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Aerotek
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between aerospace technician and avionics technician education

There are a few differences between an aerospace technician and an avionics technician in terms of educational background:

	Aerospace Technician	Avionics Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 34%	Associate Degree, 41%
Most common major	Aviation	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Purdue University	Purdue University

Aerospace technician vs avionics technician demographics

Here are the differences between aerospace technicians' and avionics technicians' demographics:

	Aerospace Technician	Avionics Technician
Average age	45	33
Gender ratio	Male, 84.9% Female, 15.1%	Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 27.5% Asian, 5.4% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	6%	14%

Differences between aerospace technician and avionics technician duties and responsibilities

Aerospace technician example responsibilities.

Lead troubleshooting team for radar system degradation, identify and replace system components to allow aircraft to perform assignment.
Use technical specifications, sketches, manuals, drawings, engineering notices, and FAA forms and publications to accomplish work.
Install DDC controls for HVAC systems and boilers
Repair and maintain aircraft navigation systems such as VOR-DME, TACAN, and GPS.
Update software and replace circuit cards with in the 128D GPS module.
Perform in-flight and grind maintenance instruction; training and qualify hundreds of personnel.

Avionics technician example responsibilities.

Work regularly on the radar and GPS for helicopters while simultaneously dealing and managing supplies by keeping track of all equipment.
Repair vhf, uhf, dme, lru, and radios.Uses various hand tools.
Maintain GPS navigation systems, flight guidance controls, radar, entertainment systems, and aircraft self defense systems.
Utilize aircraft technical manuals, and technical drawings to troubleshoot, and maintain aircraft systems in a flyable status.
Test and troubleshoot avionics systems upon completion of modification process.
License airframe and power plant technician responsible for aircraft avionics and electrical systems.

Aerospace technician vs avionics technician skills

Common aerospace technician skills

Safety Procedures, 11%
Calipers, 10%
Hand Tools, 8%
Ladders, 7%
Ground Support Equipment, 4%
NASA, 4%

Common avionics technician skills

FAA, 11%
Hand Tools, 10%
Electrical Systems, 7%
Engineering Drawings, 4%
Avionics Equipment, 4%
Maintenance Manuals, 4%

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Aerospace Technician vs Avionics Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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