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Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians: pay, job outlook and how to enter the field

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$82,890median pay per year, or $39.85 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $59,050lowest 10% earn less
  2. $67,68025th percentile
  3. $82,890median
  4. $111,28075th percentile
  5. $125,160top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

The median worker in this field earned $82,890 a year in May 2025, compared with $50,980 for all occupations[1][2]. Employment is projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+11.9%[3]
Openings per year
1,100[6]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[7]

How much do aerospace engineering and operations technicians make?

The median wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $82,890 a year, or $39.85 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $91,310 a year, or $43.90 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $59,050 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $67,680[5]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $111,280, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $125,160[5]. By the hour, the 10th percentile was $28.39 and the 90th was $60.18[9].

BLS does not publish a starting salary. Percentile wages are boundaries within the pay range[10]. The figures count wage and salary jobs only. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[11]. About 11,280 people held these jobs in May 2025[12]. In the projections, 1.2% were self-employed in 2025[13].

Pay by state and city

BLS published state data for 24 states[14]. Washington had the highest median, at $125,160 a year, followed by Alaska at $105,780 and Nevada at $102,980[14]. California ($99,000) and Colorado ($98,990) came next[14]. Oklahoma had the lowest median on the list, at $45,590[14].

Washington and California have the most jobs, with 1,590 and 1,560[15]. Texas (950), Ohio (900) and Florida (770) follow[15].

Among the metro areas BLS ranks for pay, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $125,160[16]. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO followed at $123,350 and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA at $119,980[16]. Seattle also had the most jobs, at 1,570[17]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had 690, and Wichita, KS had 510[17].

Show median pay in 24 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[14]$125,1601,590
Alaska$105,78040
Nevada$102,98050
California$99,0001,560
Colorado$98,990660
Maryland$91,820200
Oregon$81,100120
Virginia$81,040270
Massachusetts$79,42030
Connecticut$79,41070
Ohio$79,310900
Florida$78,560770
Kansas$78,350580
Texas$78,350950
Utah$76,680400
Arizona$75,230380
Minnesota$71,240n/a
Michigan$69,84070
New Mexico$66,460n/a
New York$64,480330
Indiana$62,520480
Alabama$62,130140
Pennsylvania$60,77080
Oklahoma$45,59030

How to enter the field

BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical education for entry[7]. The handbook names engineering technology or a related field[18].

BLS lists no work experience requirement and no typical on-the-job training[7]. Certifications are not required, though they can show specific knowledge[21]. The facts here do not say how long programs take.

What these technicians do

These workers operate, install, adjust and maintain computer and communications systems, simulators and test and measurement equipment. The equipment is used to launch, track, position and evaluate air and space vehicles[22]. O*NET lists these tasks among the most important[23]:

Workers reported titles such as instrumentation technician, engineering test technician, avionics test technician and flight test instrument technician[24].

Where they work

The largest employer group in 2025 was aerospace product and parts manufacturing, at 44% of jobs[25]. Those who work in manufacturing or industrial plants are often involved in assembly[26].

BLS says most of these workers are full time. Depending on the employer or project, they may work in shifts or have to work overtime[27].

Job outlook

BLS projects that employment will grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 11,600 to 12,900 jobs, a gain of 1,400[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[4]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].

BLS projects about 1,100 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 5.2% to move to a different occupation[28].

Is it a good fit?

Pay is well above the all-occupations median, and jobs are projected to grow faster than average[1][2][3][4]. Entry typically needs an associate's degree, though some employers accept a high school diploma or a certificate program[7][18]. About 11,280 people held these jobs, and state data is published for only 24 states[12][14]. The work calls for precise measurements and careful records, and for mechanical and math skills[29][30][31].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[32].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an aerospace engineering technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $39.85 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28.39 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $60.18[9].
What degree do you need to be an aerospace engineering technician?
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education[7]. Engineering technology or a related field is usual, and some employers accept a high school diploma or a certificate program[18].
Is this field in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations grow 3.5%[3][4]. About 1,100 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for aerospace engineering technicians?
Washington, at a median of $125,160 a year, followed by Alaska at $105,780[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians in the US was $82,890 per year and $39.85 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 11,600 to 12,900 jobs (a change of +1,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $59,050, 25th percentile $67,680, 75th percentile $111,280, 90th percentile $125,160. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,100 openings for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians was $91,310 per year and $43.90 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $28.39, 25th percentile $32.54, 75th percentile $53.50, 90th percentile $60.18. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 11,280 people were employed as Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS Employment Projections: 1.2% of Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  14. Median annual wage for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians jobs: Washington 1,590; California 1,560; Texas 950; Ohio 900; Florida 770. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $125,160; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $123,350; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $119,980; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $98,940; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $98,800; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $85,320; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $83,260; Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $82,490. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians jobs: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 1,570 (median $125,160); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 690 (median $98,940); Wichita, KS 510 (median $78,350); Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL 480 (median $82,490); Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 390 (median $123,350); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 280 (median $98,800). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET description of Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 17-3021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Avionics Installation Technician, Avionics Test Technician, Engineering Technician, Engineering Test Technician, Flight Test Instrument Technician, Instrumentation Technician, Systems Test Technician, Test Technician. O*NET OnLine
  25. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians in 2025: Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 44%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the 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. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.