### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			aerospace engineering and operations technicians imageAerospace engineering and operations technicians operate and calibrate computer systems so that they comply with test requirements.							
						Quick Facts:     Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians2023     Median Pay
            						$77,830     per year
										$37.42     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Associate's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    10,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    8% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    800What Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Do
                                                
                        
                        
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians run and maintain equipment used to develop, test, produce, and sustain aircraft and spacecraft.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians usually work in manufacturing plants, laboratories, and offices. Most work full time.
            
                                                How to Become an Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist or Technician
                                                
                        
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.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $77,830 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow							 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 1,000 openings for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Do 
            

			Aerospace engineering and operations techniciansAerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians work to make sure that testing goes smoothly.			
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians install, run, and maintain equipment used to develop, test, produce, and sustain aircraft and spacecraft. Their work is critical to ensuring the safety and precision of key parts of these vehicles and systems.
Duties
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians typically do the following:
Meet with aerospace engineers to discuss details and implications of test procedures
Build and maintain test facilities for aircraft systems
Make and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment
Operate and calibrate computer systems so that they comply with test and manufacturing requirements
Make sure that test procedures are performed smoothly and safely
Record data from test parts and assemblies
Install instruments in aircraft and spacecraft
Monitor and ensure quality in producing systems that go into the aircraftNew aircraft designs undergo years of testing before they are put into service. As part of the job, technologists and technicians often calibrate test equipment, such as wind tunnels, and determine the causes of equipment malfunctions. They also may program and run computer simulations that test the new designs.
 Work Environment
			Aerospace engineering and operations techniciansAerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians install instruments in aircraft and spacecraft.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians held about 10,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians were as follows:
        Aerospace product and parts manufacturing
                36%Engineering services
                28Scientific research and development services
                8Computer and electronic product manufacturing
                7Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians who work in manufacturing or industrial plants are frequently involved in assembly.
Work Schedules
Most aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians work full time. Depending on the employer or project, they may work in shifts or be required to work overtime.
 How to Become an Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist or Technician

			Aerospace engineering and operations techniciansAerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians work to prevent the failure of key parts of new aircraft, spacecraft, or missiles.			
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. Some aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians must have security clearances to work on projects related to national defense. U.S. citizenship may be required for certain types and levels of clearance.
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.
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.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Although not required for the job, SpaceTEC, the National Science Foundation’s Center for Aerospace Technical Education, offers the Certified Aerospace Technician Core Certification. Recertification is required every 3 years.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansMedian annual wages, May 2023Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians$77,830  Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians$63,100  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians was $77,830 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,050, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $113,970.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Computer and electronic product manufacturing
                $82,020Scientific research and development services
                80,040Aerospace product and parts manufacturing
                79,090Engineering services
                74,950Most aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians work full time. Depending on the employer or project, they may work in shifts or be required to work overtime.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians8%  Total, all occupations3%  Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow				 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 1,000 openings for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Technological advances have reduced the cost of launching satellites. Demand for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is expected to increase as space becomes more accessible, especially with innovations that make small satellites commercially viable. New developments in types of aircrafts, such as electric hybrids, also are expected to drive an increase in employment. In addition, continued interest in drones is expected to support employment growth for these workers.


			

                        Employment projections data for     aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians**
			17-3021
			10,200
			11,000
			8
			800
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Aerospace Engineers**
            Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.
            Bachelor's degree
            $130,720**Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians**
            Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft.
            See How to Become One
            $75,400**Drafters**
            Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings.
            Associate's degree
            $62,530**Electro-mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians**
            Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians operate, test, and maintain electromechanical or robotic equipment.
            Associate's degree
            $65,080**Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production.
            Associate's degree
            $62,610**Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture machines and other devices.
            Associate's degree
            $64,020
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about accredited aeronautics and engineering programs, visit
ABET
For more information about careers in engineering, visit
Technology Student Association
For more information about certification, visit
SpaceTEC
CareerOneStop
For a career video on aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, visit
Aerospace engineering and operations technicians

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineering-and-operations-technicians.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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