There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an avionics tester. For example, did you know that they make an average of $35.43 an hour? That's $73,698 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 4,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

How To Become an Avionics Tester

If you're interested in becoming an avionics tester, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 33.3% of avionics testers have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 0.0% of avionics testers have master's degrees. Even though some avionics testers have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

Average Salary for an Avionics Tester

Avionics Testers in America make an average salary of $73,698 per year or $35 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $100,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $54,000 per year.
Average Avionics Tester Salary
$73,698 Yearly
$35.43 hourly

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Roles and Types of Avionics Tester

There are several types of avionics tester, including:

Tester

Role:

A tester is an individual who tests software or similar projects for bugs, errors, defects, or any problems that the end-user might come across. Put simply, the role of a tester is to test out products and provide reports to the project teams about any issues or improvements that the product may require.

A tester understands the architecture of the product being tested, plans out the testing strategies to execute tests and finds the hidden issues. They analyze the pros and cons of the specific plan as well as the risks linked to each of the components and interfaces of the product. They review the code they need to test and work with scripts and automation tools. They also stay up to date with the technical aspects of the project infrastructure.

Some important skills include; basic knowledge of Database/ SQL, basic knowledge of Linux commands, working with test management tools, working with defect tracking tools, and working with automation tools. They also need analytical, communication, time management, and organizational skills. They require a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science, technology, or related field. They earn an average of $81,624 a year, which translates to $39.24 an hour.
  • Average Salary: $65,202
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree

Avionics Technician

Role:

Avionics technicians are also called aviation electronics technicians. They repair, maintain, and inspect the electrical systems in aircraft with specialized knowledge and training. Primarily as an avionics technician, you are responsible for conducting testing and inspections for all devices on a regular basis.

Also, you are to document every change or repair, replace every malfunctioning part and also assemble complex components. It is your duty to ensure that every piece of avionics equipment works properly before the aircraft takes off and also to make sure that they don't interfere with every other electronic device. Furthermore, you are to provide an accurate diagnosis of any difficult avionic problems that may arise. It is important that you organize ground support and test equipment for flight tests. The coordination of work with engineers, aircraft maintenance staff, and other technicians is also a part of your duties.

To be an avionics technician, you must study automotive technology, aviation, or electrical engineering. You also need to hold at least an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in any of these relevant fields. Avionics technicians make an average salary of $54,453 per year.

  • Average Salary: $55,545
  • Degree: Associate Degree

Aviation Maintenance Technician

Role:

An Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) is a trained professional who specializes in the inspection, repair, and maintenance of all types of aircraft. He/she does this to ensure that the mechanical, structural, and electronic systems are in the best conditions for use and that the aircraft meets the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

AMTs usually diagnose issues, perform repairs or replace parts, and regularly inspect aircraft to identify potential problems. AMTs usually work for private airlines, commercial airlines, the government, parts manufacturing companies, the military, and repair stations.

A successful AMT should have experience in the field as well as technical skills, analytical skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills. AMTs do not have a regular work schedule since their job depends on flight schedules. In most cases, they work in shifts and are expected to be on call throughout the day and night.
  • Average Salary: $51,794
  • Degree: Associate Degree

States With The Most Avionics Tester Jobs

Number Of Avionics Tester Jobs By State

RankStateNumber of JobsAverage Salary
1California374$87,986
2Texas240$67,427
3Virginia189$77,696
4Florida165$59,615
5Ohio126$63,935
6New York124$63,376
7Pennsylvania116$76,508
8North Carolina113$62,375
9Washington112$75,450
10Maryland106$79,065
11Georgia103$73,905
12Massachusetts98$72,794
13Arizona92$76,972
14Colorado91$68,673
15Michigan84$63,630
16Indiana83$73,332
17Illinois83$64,216
18New Jersey82$79,365
19Wisconsin68$70,843
20Minnesota57$68,486
21Utah56$76,039
22Tennessee54$63,769
23Connecticut50$75,692
24Oregon50$75,136
25Missouri46$74,978
26Alabama44$73,100
27South Carolina41$62,948
28Louisiana40$64,240
29Iowa37$73,583
30Arkansas36$64,231
31Oklahoma33$75,367
32Kentucky33$70,468
33Kansas31$75,394
34New Mexico29$68,156
35North Dakota28$69,366
36Nebraska27$76,238
37Nevada26$85,166
38Wyoming23$69,724
39Montana23$58,651
40Delaware22$78,810
41West Virginia20$72,879
42Idaho20$73,365
43Mississippi19$80,332
44Alaska19$69,693
45New Hampshire17$71,540
46South Dakota17$58,724
47Vermont15$69,783
48Rhode Island14$74,128
49Maine12$67,708
50Hawaii10$51,032

Avionics Tester Education

Avionics Tester Majors

20.0 %

Avionics Tester Degrees

High School Diploma

66.7 %

Bachelors

33.3 %

Top Colleges for Avionics Testers

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

Admissions

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

Admissions

3. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

Admissions

4. New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,686

Enrollment

11,139

Admissions

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

Admissions

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-State Tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

Admissions

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

Admissions

8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-State Tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

Admissions

9. Rice University

Houston, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$47,350

Enrollment

3,962

Admissions

10. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,391

Enrollment

8,568

Admissions

Choose From 10+ Customizable Avionics Tester Resume templates

Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Avionics Tester templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Avionics Tester resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.

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Avionics Tester Demographics

Avionics Tester Gender Distribution

Male
Male
88%
Female
Female
13%

After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:

  • Among avionics testers, 12.5% of them are women, while 87.5% are men.

  • The most common race/ethnicity among avionics testers is White, which makes up 59.7% of all avionics testers.

Online Courses For Avionics Tester That You May Like

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1. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics

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3. Software Tester: From Zero To Hero!

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Become a professional software tester starting from a scratch...

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Top Avionics Tester Employers

Most Common Employers For Avionics Tester

RankCompanyAverage SalaryHourly RateJob Openings
1Gulfstream Aerospace$78,953$37.962
2Harvard Custom Manufacturing, Inc.$77,960$37.481
3US Air Conditioning Distributors$77,931$37.472
4Lockheed Martin$74,623$35.881