◆ Aviation

What an avionics technician
really does.

20 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.

20evidenced tasks
18,830in the US (2025)
$82,280median pay / year
9systems it runs on
See the 20 tasks ↓Open in the atlasThe full career map →
This is what one task looks like here
Test electronic equipment
Run the bench test sequence on the flight control receiver using the d…3 sources agree

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The work, task by task

20 tasks
Hands on the work17
Maintain records of repairs+
Consolidate today's repair actions into the aircraft log: record part numbers removed and installed, describe fault and corrective steps, attach the signed work order and technician initials, then file it under the tail number record.
escojdonet3 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Diagnose problems+
Trace the intermittent pitch trim fault: perform continuity and resistance checks on the actuator harness, compare readings to the wiring diagram, swap to a known-good module and record results to isolate whether the fault is harness, module, or control input.
escojd2 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Install avionics equipment+
Fit the new GPS unit in avionics rack B: verify mounting holes match the rack template, wire power and data per the installation schematic, secure grounding straps, load the configuration file, then run a power-up alignment and confirm navigation fix.
jdonet2 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Remove faulty equipment+
Remove the faulty transponder from rack A2: isolate aircraft power and ground, disconnect antenna and data harness with tag numbers, unbolt the unit, log the serial and defect code, and leave the bay ready for replacement.
escojd2 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Electronics principles+
Teach junior techs the electronics principles they must know for our fleet: cover Ohm’s law, series and parallel circuits, signal grounding, EMI mitigation, and how those rules show up on our wiring diagrams, using the B737 avionics racks as examples.
esco
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Wear appropriate protective gear+
Prepare and distribute the pre-shift checklist that enforces protective gear for avionics work: list ESD wrist strap, insulated gloves, eye protection, hearing protection when on the flight line, and the lockout/tagout step, require acknowledgement before any bench or rack work starts.
esco
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Perform functional tests+
Set up the bench with the wiring harness and test jig, power the system to ground checks, run the published functional check sequence on the flight instrument and record voltages, then file the pass/fail test sheet to the work order.
esco
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Take corrective action+
Isolate the failed LRUs from the failed test, compare suspect wiring and connector pinouts to the wiring diagram, replace the faulty component or repair the harness, then rerun the functional test and update the maintenance record.
esco
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Watch and assess2
Keep it safe1

What the work runs on

named inside the evidenced tasks
6 tasksMicrosoft Wordformats the signed work order and narrative that gets attached to the logOpen its task library →
5 tasksAutodesk AutoCADchecks and prints the rack template and mounting hole alignment from installation drawings
4 tasksLinuxinterfaces with test rig drivers and captures waveform/text logs for analysis
2 tasksMicrosoft Excelstructures parts, hours and references into the maintenance ledger for searches and summariesOpen its task library →
2 tasksMicrosoft Outlooksends the checklist to the shift and collects acknowledgements via email
1 taskMicrosoft Officecombines wiring diagrams, test data and photos into a single report for maintenance authority
1 taskSAPrecords inspection status, links asset records and triggers follow-up work orders for discrepancies
1 taskMicrosoft PowerPointcreates slide decks and diagrams to present principles and annotate wiring examples for a crew brief
Browse every evidenced software task →

The same task, four heights

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ExecuteDo today's task, with fewer mistakesyou are here → ImproveMake it easy for the next person to acceptin the atlas → DecideWork out the right move when it is unclearin the atlas → BecomeLearn the pattern so it stops coming backin the atlas →

Can AI actually do this job?

the honest answer

It can

where it genuinely helps
  • Explain the theory behind the work
  • Draft, tidy and structure your writing
  • Rehearse a hard conversation before you have it
  • Build a study plan that fits your gaps

It cannot

where it stops, completely
  • Be in the room where an avionics technician actually works
  • Carry the responsibility when the call is wrong — that weight stays yours
  • Notice what no one wrote down: the hesitation, the thing left unsaid
  • Live with the outcome

What the work pays

two countries, two different measures

United States

this exact occupation · BLS 2025
  • $82,280 a year — the middle: half earn more, half earn less
  • The lowest tenth earn near $49,410; the top tenth near $113,680
  • 18,830 people employed in this occupation

Where the evidence lives

open any of it yourself
O*NETThe US Department of Labor's own record of this job4 of these tasks ESCOThe European skills and occupations register11 of these tasks Job descriptionsReal postings, in the wild13 of these tasks US Bureau of Labor StatisticsPay and employment, by occupation2025 figures UK NOS SEMAE3121Undertaking scheduled maintenance of aircraft avionics equipment/systenational standard UK NOS SEMAE3133Carrying out tests on avionic indication and gauging components of airnational standard

Close to this work

12 nearby
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Questions people actually ask

You usually start by checking the job board or work orders in Workday or SAP, then collect the aircraft logbooks and previous repair records. Morning tasks often include visual inspections, functional tests of radios and navigation instruments, and running cables or mounting antennas.

Afternoons often go to diagnosing faults with test equipment, removing or repairing faulty modules, reinstalling systems, and updating repair records in Microsoft Excel or Word. You’ll coordinate with engineers and pilots before sign-off and follow safety procedures and wear protective gear whenever working on live electrical systems.

Expect Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, reports, and communication; Workday or SAP for job orders and maintenance records; and AutoCAD when reading or marking blueprints and wiring diagrams.

For testing and diagnostics you’ll use bench test equipment and aircraft test panels. Linux might appear if your shop uses it for avionics configuration tools or test software, but most paperwork and scheduling is on Microsoft Office or SAP/Workday.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2025, there were 18,830 employed avionics technicians with a median wage of $82,280 per year. The lowest tenth earned $49,410 and the top tenth earned $113,680 per year.

Use those numbers as a market snapshot: local pay varies with employer (airlines, repair stations, military contractors), experience, and certifications. BLS is the source for these national figures.

Look for an FAA-certified Part 147 avionics or A&P program that teaches electronics principles, blueprint reading, wiring, and aircraft systems. Hands-on practice with soldering, running cables, mounting antennas, and basic test equipment is essential.

If you can, get an internship or entry-level role at a repair station to learn maintenance records, functional tests, and how shops use SAP or Workday. Basic computer skills in Microsoft Office and a willingness to follow safety procedures go a long way.

An avionics technician does hands-on work: diagnose problems, remove faulty equipment, repair or replace components, run wiring, mount antennas, and perform functional tests. You keep and update repair records and follow safety procedures.

An aircraft electrician may focus more narrowly on power distribution and wiring for non-avionics systems. An avionics engineer designs systems, writes schematics, and coordinates upgrades. Technicians coordinate with engineers and staff to implement those changes.

AI can help draft repair summaries, translate technical terms, or suggest troubleshooting steps, but never trust it for live tests or safety decisions. Use AI only to draft documents that you verify against test data, schematics, and the aircraft maintenance manual.

For diagnostics, rely on actual test equipment, functional tests, and your inspection. Record all steps in Excel/Word and the official maintenance system (SAP/Workday). Always follow safety procedures and wear protective gear when working on live systems.

Practical troubleshooting: you must read blueprints or AutoCAD drawings, connect instruments correctly for navigation, run cables, and perform functional tests to pinpoint faults. That combines electronics principles with methodical testing.

Accuracy in records is equally important: maintain repair logs in Excel/Word and the maintenance system so others can follow what you did. Poor documentation or sloppy wiring creates safety risks and more work later.