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The differences between avionics engineers and avionics technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an avionics engineer and an avionics technician. Additionally, an avionics engineer has an average salary of $95,470, which is higher than the $55,545 average annual salary of an avionics technician.
The top three skills for an avionics engineer include FAA, avionics systems and electrical systems. The most important skills for an avionics technician are FAA, hand tools, and electrical systems.
| Avionics Engineer | Avionics Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $95,470 | $55,545 |
| Hourly rate | $45.90 | $26.70 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 30,744 | 25,603 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Associate Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 44 | 33 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Avionics Engineers are responsible for the design and development of avionics systems. They are involved in implementing economic and innovative techniques for avionic systems manufacturing, testing all parts and systems, rectifying faulty parts, and scheduling maintenance and inspection. They also prepare progress reports to update stakeholders involved, assist in proposals and bid preparation, and develop training programs for their junior engineering staff. Avionics Engineers must always comply with government regulations and industry best practices.
An avionics technician specializes in the installation, maintenance, and repair of aircraft tools and devices such as navigation, radar, radio, and other systems. They are primarily responsible for conducting regular testing and inspections for all devices, documenting every repair or change, replacing every defective or malfunctioning part, and assembling complex components. Furthermore, there are instances when technicians are required to weld and solder, even climb high places, during repairs.
Avionics engineers and avionics technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Avionics Engineer | Avionics Technician | |
| Average salary | $95,470 | $55,545 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $135,000 | Between $40,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Englewood, CO | Everett, WA |
| Highest paying state | Colorado | Washington |
| Best paying company | Allegiant International | Aerotek |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an avionics engineer and an avionics technician in terms of educational background:
| Avionics Engineer | Avionics Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Associate Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between avionics engineers' and avionics technicians' demographics:
| Avionics Engineer | Avionics Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 33 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 11.0% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 8% | 14% |