Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Career, Salary and Skills
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $82,890 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 11,280. Wage data is published for 56 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
17-3021.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$82,890
Hourly median
$39.85
Employment
11,280
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.75 | 3.50 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.75 | 3.62 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Active Listening | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | 3.62 | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.50 | 3.38 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Science | 3.12 | 3.75 |
Typical tasks
- Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.
- 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.
- Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.
- Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.
Technology
- Apache Hadoop
- Apache JMeter
- Atlassian JIRA
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Bugzilla
- C++
- Computerized numerical control CNC software
- Customer information control system CICS
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Data acquisition software
- Debugging software
- Extensible markup language XML
- Graphical user interface GUI design software
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in WAMedian $125,160 · Employment 1,590
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in Seattle, WAMedian $125,160 · Employment 1,570
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in CAMedian $99,000 · Employment 1,560
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in TXMedian $78,350 · Employment 950
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in OHMedian $79,310 · Employment 900
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in FLMedian $78,560 · Employment 770
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $98,940 · Employment 690
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in COMedian $98,990 · Employment 660
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in KSMedian $78,350 · Employment 580
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in Wichita, KSMedian $78,350 · Employment 510
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in INMedian $62,520 · Employment 480
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians Salary in Palm Bay, FLMedian $82,490 · Employment 480
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.