by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician explores Avionics Maintenance Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Repair, Service, And Maintain All Types Of Aircraft Operating, Control, And Electronic Systems. Includes Instruction In Flight Instrumentation, Aircraft Communications And Homing Systems, Radar And Other Sensory Systems, Navigation Aids, And Specialized Systems For Various Types Of Civilian And Military Aircraft. Continue reading for the important information every avionics maintenance technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering avionics maintenance technology/technician programs.
In the U.S., avionics maintenance technology/technician is a widely-pursued major, with 719 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 35 schools to determine the best overall colleges for avionics maintenance technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of avionics maintenance technology/technician programs later in this article.
Programs in Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations avionics maintenance technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a avionics maintenance technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a avionics maintenance technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several avionics maintenance technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 128 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 305 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 260 |
People currently working in careers related to avionics maintenance technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 38.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 29.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 15.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.6% |
| Some college courses | 4.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in avionics maintenance technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in avionics maintenance technology/technician opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to avionics maintenance technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to avionics maintenance technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 838,729 | 7.2% |
| Avionics Technicians | 487,959 | 5.2% |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | 214,833 | 10.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of avionics maintenance technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,744 |
| 4 years | $43,612 |
| 5 years | $49,558 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for avionics maintenance technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers avionics maintenance technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $77,835 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $48,162 |
| Avionics Technicians | $31,577 |
With 35 different avionics maintenance technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased avionics maintenance technology/technician school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in avionics maintenance technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
