Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians run and maintain equipment used to develop, test, produce, and sustain aircraft and spacecraft.
Is aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians a good career?
It scores 26/100 and ranks #190 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($82,890 vs $61,390)
- Faster-than-average projected growth (+8.1% through 2034)
Possible tradeoffs
- No notable tradeoffs stand out in the wage and projection data.
What aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians earn between $67,680 and $111,280 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians jobs
No live aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians openings will appear here — each shown against the $82,890 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become an aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technician
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034.
Education
High school students interested in becoming an aerospace engineering and operations technologist or technician should take classes in math, science, and, if available, drafting and information technology.
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree in engineering technology or a related field. Some employers consider candidates who have a high school diploma or have completed a certificate program. Associate’s degree and certificate programs are available at community colleges or vocational–technical schools.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Although not required for the job, certifications may demonstrate specific knowledge or professional expertise.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians must be able to follow instructions from aerospace engineers. They also need to clearly convey problems to their supervisors.
Detail oriented. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians take precise measurements needed by aerospace engineers. In addition, they must keep accurate records of these measurements.
Interpersonal skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians must be able to work well with others. They interact with people from other divisions, businesses, and governments.
Math skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians use mathematics for measurement, analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks.
Mechanical skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians assist aerospace engineers by building what the engineers design. They need technical skills to guide processes from design to production.
Problem-solving skills. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians help aerospace engineers troubleshoot design issues. They must be able to help evaluate system capabilities, formulate questions, and then find the answers.
Related occupations
How much do aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians make?
The national median wage is $82,890 a year, with the middle half earning between $67,680 and $111,280 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 26 of 100 and ranks #190 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +8.1% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technician?
The typical entry-level education is associate's degree.
Where do aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($125,160). Local pay for every state and metro is below.