How much does a aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician make?
The median aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician in the United States earns $82,890 per year, about $39.85 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-3021.
Aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician salary range
Pay for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $59,050 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $125,160. The average (mean) wage of $91,310 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,050 | $28.39 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $67,680 | $32.54 | |
| Median (50th) | $82,890 | $39.85 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $111,280 | $53.50 | |
| 90th percentile | $125,160 | $60.18 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians (SOC 17-3021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians earn the most in Washington at $125,160 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $45,590. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $125,160 | 1,590 |
| Alaska | $105,780 | 40 |
| Nevada | $102,980 | 50 |
| California | $99,000 | 1,560 |
| Colorado | $98,990 | 660 |
| Maryland | $91,820 | 200 |
| Oregon | $81,100 | 120 |
| Virginia | $81,040 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $79,420 | 30 |
| Connecticut | $79,410 | 70 |
| Ohio | $79,310 | 900 |
| Florida | $78,560 | 770 |
| Kansas | $78,350 | 580 |
| Texas | $78,350 | 950 |
| Utah | $76,680 | 400 |
| Arizona | $75,230 | 380 |
| Minnesota | $71,240 | N/A |
| Michigan | $69,840 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $66,460 | N/A |
| New York | $64,480 | 330 |
| Indiana | $62,520 | 480 |
| Alabama | $62,130 | 140 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,770 | 80 |
| Oklahoma | $45,590 | 30 |
State median wages for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians (SOC 17-3021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
The BLS projects employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 11,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 12,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,100 openings a year for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician
The typical entry-level education for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $125,160) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $45,590) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 11,280 people work as aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians in the United States. At $82,890 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician salary FAQ
How much does an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician is $39.85. The middle half of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians earn between $32.54 and $53.50 per hour.
What is the highest aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians earn more than $125,160 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician make a year?
The median annual salary for an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician is $82,890. The average (mean) wage of $91,310 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician a well paid job?
At $82,890 a year, an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 11,280 people work as aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians in the United States.
Which state pays aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians at $125,160 a year. Alaska ($105,780) and Nevada ($102,980) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician a good career?
Employment of aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an aerospace engineering and operations technologist and technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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