Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
SOC code 17-3021 · O*NET-SOC 17-3021.00 · Medium preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$82,890
a year
Hourly
$39.85
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$91,310
$43.90 per hour
Middle 50%
$67,680 – $111,280
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$59,050 – $125,160
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
11,280
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $59,050
- $28.39/hr
- 25th percentile
- $67,680
- $32.54/hr
- Median percentile
- $82,890
- $39.85/hr
- 75th percentile
- $111,280
- $53.50/hr
- 90th percentile
- $125,160
- $60.18/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+8%
Growing much faster than average
9,300
jobs in 2024
10,100
projected for 2034
About 800 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians do?
Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
- Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
- Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
- Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.
- Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.
- Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
- Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.
- Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 39% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Secondary Certificate39%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree33%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)20%
- Bachelor's Degree8%
Common questions
How much does an aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians earn?
The national median is $82,890 a year. The full range runs from $59,050 at the 10th percentile to $125,160 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 8% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Active Listening3.6/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Writing3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.5/5
- Engineering and Technology4.3/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Production and Processing3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Administrative3.4/5
- Physics3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting, Judgment and Decision Making.